Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-managed Businesses
UK Guide 2025 : North West
Band 1
About
Provided by Slater Heelis
The corporate services include:
- Business formation and structure
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts
- Commercial advice and disputes
- Commercial property, including leases
- Corporate governance
- Corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions
- Due diligence
- Employment law
- Funding and venture capital
- Intellectual property
- Insolvency
- International trade and expansion
- Litigation
- Shareholder agreements
- Tax planning
Corporate client case studies include:
Pot Kettle Black
Pro-rugby league player turned business owner Mark Flanagan opened Manchester’s speciality coffeehouse, Pot Kettle Black (PKB), back in 2014 with co-founder and former teammate Jon Wilkin, and we’ve been on that journey with them.
As the business's legal advisor, our team has guided them through opening new premises, resolving contract disputes, and protecting their intellectual property. Pot Kettle Black continues to grow and expand, and we’re incredibly proud to be a part of it.
Blueberry Therapeutics
Dr John Ridden has decades of experience developing biotechnology, having previously worked at Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
In late 2011, John set up Blueberry Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical firm developing medicines for some of the world’s most common diseases. From the start, we supported John and Blueberry Therapeutics, helping them secure funding, negotiate contracts, perform due diligence, and more – the list of services is growing.
Chambers Review
Slater Heelis provides advice on a broad array of M&A transactions and represents a wide range of clients in significant deals. The department handles acquisitions, disposals, mergers and demergers, as well as advising on private equity investment. It demonstrates key expertise in the life sciences, technology and property sectors.
Work Highlights
- Slater Heelis acted for the shareholders of Wammee on the disposal of its entire share capital to Lloyds Development Capital.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are expert at dealing with highly complex transactions and understand the human element as well."
"Slater Heelis is an exceptional firm. They have a broad spectrum of expertise. They are realistic, reasonable on fees, very professional, and they took responsibility for issues."
"Slater Heelis have been responsive and also very patient. Understanding the commercial complexities and pressures has been one of their real strengths."
"Slater Heelis provide a good level of service."
"They are expert at dealing with highly complex transactions and understand the human element as well."
"Slater Heelis is an exceptional firm. They have a broad spectrum of expertise. They are realistic, reasonable on fees, very professional, and they took responsibility for issues."
"Slater Heelis have been responsive and also very patient. Understanding the commercial complexities and pressures has been one of their real strengths."
"Slater Heelis provide a good level of service."
Notable Practitioners
Simon Wallwork heads the firm's corporate team. He handles a wide range of transactions relating to M&A, private equity and fundraising, with particular expertise in the life sciences sector.
"Simon Wallwork provides unwavering support under high-pressure situations."
"Simon is an outstanding person and lawyer. I couldn't recommend him enough."
"Simon Wallwork is a go-to person for sizeable transactions. He takes responsibility and takes charge of deals. He's a leader in transactional work."
"Simon is very approachable and has outstanding commercial awareness. His attention to detail and support in some challenging situations is consistently second to none. He is very client-focused."
Ranked Lawyers at
Slater Heelis
North West
Members
Provided by Slater Heelis
Clients
Provided by Slater Heelis
Blueberry Therapeutics
Pot Kettle Black
Industries
Provided by Slater Heelis
Healthcare
Life Sciences
Technology