Corporate Law

Brachers is proud to advise a Kent-based civil engineering company, supporting them on their road to success. Over the last few years, we have provided a range of legal services to the business, including support with employment matters, corporate structuring and governance, and commercial contracts. Recently, we supported the firm on high-value property acquisitions and lease agreements which will enable the business to continue to grow and flourish.

A senior member of the company commented: “Brachers consistently carries out a marvellous job and I am always pleased with the outcome and the time taken to achieve the result. They are a great bunch and a pleasure to work with. They are always there, proactive, resourceful and happy to connect us to other teams within the firm who can support our business goals and ambitions. For me, a key part of Brachers’ value is that they are also happy to connect me to advice from other experts when I need it, for example, legal counsel in other jurisdictions, or specialists in a niche area. I know I can call Brachers first, and they will make sure I get the right advice from their extensive professional network.”

IKRA was formed in 1992 and is currently based in six countries, with 16 offices and 1,000 employees. The company handles around 35,000 shipments per year in road, sea and airfreight services.

The initial transaction involved the multi-million pound sale and leaseback of IKRA’s UK headquarters in Belvedere, South East London.

Brachers simultaneously advised IKRA on the purchase of a significant new property site outside of Ashford, Kent, which will be developed into the new UK headquarters central distribution hub for the business.

Senior Associate Katherine Morgan advised on all commercial property aspects of the transaction, with Corporate Partner Claire Williams, assisted by solicitor Kieron Cummins, advising on the corporate elements of the deal. This included IKRA’s purchase of shares in the company that owns their new Ashford site.

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Founded in 2000, Xtratec Ltd is based in Maidstone, Kent. Since gaining its UKAS accreditation in 2011, Xtratec has expanded their laboratories and site testing capabilities. The company has worked alongside a number of construction companies on some major nationwide infrastructure projects; including the Gatwick NWZ Apron and the Felixstowe Dock Extension.

Mark Beer, founder and Managing Director of Xtratec is staying on with Xtratec under Phenna Group’s ownership.

Phenna Group was formed in 2019 and has since been growing its portfolio of companies within the independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) sector. Phenna Group’s CEO, Paul Barry, started the company with a vision of grouping together a number of likeminded TICC businesses across the world, Xtratec are the latest to join 32 other companies within the group.

Brachers Corporate Team worked on the sale of Xtratec from start to finish. Associate Alistair Wickham worked alongside Corporate Partners Claire Williams and James Bullock. Brachers also worked in collaboration with the sellers’ financial advisor, Graeme Jones from AS Advisory and accountant, Sharen Cain FCCA to complete this deal.

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Clear Treasury’s management team have secured a funding facility required to buy out minority shareholders and provide increased working capital. Brachers provided legal support to the buyers, while SRC Corporate Finance, led by founder Rupert Rawcliffe, provided financial advice. The deal was supported by a bespoke five-year funding package provided by SME Capital.

Clear Treasury will continue to be led by its management team comprising CEOs Jordan Tilley and Peter O’Flanagan and CCO Paul Reilly.

Clear Treasury is a fintech group specialising in payments and foreign exchange services through a technology-first approach, backed by an expert team in London and Dublin. The group operates across a diverse range of industries including sport, finance, IT services, legal and business support, targeting larger SMEs. The business has been trading since 2010, with Jordan, Peter and Paul acquiring a 75% stake in 2020, which Brachers also advised on.

They have since rapidly grown the business through the deployment of new service offerings and technologies. This latest transaction means the management team now own 100% of the business, with the full exit of the minority shareholders.

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DGA is an international firm providing quantum and delay expert services and commercial and planning advisory support to the international construction industry in the UK, South Africa, Singapore and Australia. It is a perfect complement to TSA, a global, private equity backed project management and advisory firm with offices in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

The deal with TSA ensures continued growth for the DGA Group benefitting clients and allowing it to offer a broader array of services on future projects. As part of a wider TSA group, DGA will have access to additional resources as well as new areas of expertise to offer clients.

Brachers’ legal advisory team was led by James Bullock (Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial) with support from corporate solicitors Kieron Cummins and Joe Burrows. The Crowe UK team included Simon Warne (Tax Partner) and Emma Reynolds (Tax Director) advising on tax, alongside Geert Struyven (Partner) and Lewis Clarke (Director) advising on Corporate Finance aspects.

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Brachers Corporate team has advised on an international deal for the London-based, global digital risk protection platform, TurgenSec Ltd which has sold its business and assets to a US technology firm. Brachers advised on all UK aspects of this deal, from offer letter through to structuring through to due diligence and documentation. 

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in London, TurgenSec Ltd offers cost effective bespoke cyber security and cyber security testing to individuals and organisations. TurgenSec Ltd pride themselves on their commitment to creating a more secure and safe digital ecosystem with their offering of digital risk protection products. 

The international aspects of the transaction meant that the Brachers team had to overcome the differences of dealing with UK and US legal approaches. The deal involved a US buyer of a UK business which added a significant layer of complexity to this transaction.

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In a deal led by Tim Turner, the Corporate team advised APC Technology Group PLC (APC) on its acquisition of MDL Technologies Limited (MDL).

APC is a distributor of high quality and technologically advanced electrical components, with close to 40 years’ experience of expertise and innovation. The company has its head office in Rochester, Kent, with other offices in East Grinstead, Eastcote, and Lincoln, and supported by sales team throughout the UK.  MDL has over 10 years’ experience in the electronic test and measurement markets within the UK and Ireland and is based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

APC has become the supplier of choice for an impressive list of blue-chip clients within the aerospace, broadcast, defence, education, critical infrastructure, manufacturing, military, oil and gas, space, telecoms and transport markets.  The acquisition of MDL forms part of APC’s growth strategy and will enhance the product and capabilities offering to its customers.

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The Corporate team, led by James Bullock, advised UK Medical Limited on its acquisition of Neurologic Europe.

UK Medical supplies a range of interventional medical devices to the NHS and private healthcare sector. Established in 1987, the company makes products for the breast radiology, urology, interventional radiology and cardiology markets. Neurologic Europe is a medical device distributor, specialising in innovative technologies for the interventional neuroradiology market.

The acquisition will enhance UK Medical’s offering, adding a new range of innovative medical imaging technologies alongside their current product range.

The team at Brachers have acted for UK Medical for six years and previously advised on the management buyout in 2017. James Bullock, Head of Corporate, and Corporate solicitor Kieron Cummins advised on the current deal.

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The Corporate team advised MWA Financial on their acquisition of Prosperity Financial Advisors and Stockbrokers.

London based MWA are a leading IFA group specialising in acquisition and organic business development. The company launched in 2016 and uses a holistic advice model, focusing on implementing bespoke succession plans and offering partnerships for growth. Hampshire based Prosperity offer financial planning and investment advice to individuals and businesses.

The acquisition is part of MWA’s growth plans to become a leading national IFA firm, with the company planning further acquisitions of high quality advice firms over the next three years.  The Prosperity deal takes MWA’s assets under  advice to £300m and its adviser headcount to 15.

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