Foot Anstey reports continued corporate deal activity in first half of 2023, despite tougher deals market

Growing national law firm, Foot Anstey LLP, has reported a successful first half of the 2023 calendar year, having completed numerous high value corporate and private equity-backed deals in this period despite a difficult economic environment for transactions. 

Foot Anstey's Corporate team includes its nationally recognised private equity sector group which specialises in advising private equity-backed portfolio companies with bolt-on and buy-and-build acquisitions, as well as having a deep specialism in management advisory.  The firm has significant expertise in advising Entrepreneurial Private Companies and the transactions the team has seen so far this year have been a good mix of private equity backed buy-side deals and Entrepreneurial Private Company exits and acquisitions.

The law firm has continued to see an increase in the size and complexity of transaction with many deals taking on an international element.

The team at Foot Anstey has reported numerous large-scale transactions in the first half of 2023 demonstrating its ability to identify strategic opportunities, execute transformative transactions, and drive sustainable growth across various sectors and across borders.

Key highlights for the period include:

• Helston Garages Group: Foot Anstey advised the shareholders of a family-run business, Helston Garages Group Ltd, on a sale to Vertu for £182m.
  
  
• ERS Medical: Foot Anstey supported the management team at ERS Transition, trading as ERS Medical, on its acquisition by Surrey-based E-zec Medical Transport Services.
  
  
• Stanley Capital Partners: Foot Anstey advised fast-growing mid-market private equity firm Stanley Capital Partners on the acquisition of US-based Commonwealth Informatics by its portfolio company Qinecsa Solutions UK.
  
  
• Agilio: Foot Anstey advised Agilio Software, backed by private equity firm August Equity, on the purchase of shares in ProDental CPD, the go to place for dental CPD courses and modules for professionals.
  
  
• Thomas Schools: Foot Anstey advised the executive management and shareholders of the family-run group of co-educational independent schools Thomas's on its strategic partnership with Oakley Capital, a specialist investor in the education sector.
  
  
• The Fry Group: Foot Anstey advised The Fry Group, an international wealth management company, on its sale to Progeny, the UK-based independent financial planning, asset management, tax, HR and private and corporate legal services firm.

Matt Stoate, Head of Corporate and Private Equity at Foot Anstey, said: “The first half of 2023 has not been the most prolific for deals in the private equity industry, with many funds focusing on active management of their portfolios. This plays to the strengths of the team at Foot Anstey. Our ability to adapt, leverage new technologies, and identify promising investment opportunities has been crucial to our success. We remain committed to driving innovation, fostering sustainable growth, and creating value for clients."

Duncan Sykes, Partner in Foot Anstey's Corporate team, echoed this: "We have been delighted to advise owners of some of the largest entrepreneurial private companies in our region on their exits.  In many instances we have advised the companies themselves over many years assisting them with their organic growth, growth through acquisitions and ultimately the lead-up to the exit process. Our ability to understand and advise on both corporate aspects and personal enables us to deliver complex transactions often with an international element. We have also seen an increase in the use of W & I insurance to unlock and deliver an increasing number of transactions."  

To find out more about Foot Anstey and its services please visit: https://www.footanstey.com/

Editors contacts

James Grice – [email protected] or +44 117 9154982