Birketts advises Norfolk’s largest brewery on sale
16 May 2016
Birketts has advised the majority shareholders of award-winning Norfolk brewery Woodforde’s on its sale to a group of private investors.
Leading solicitors Birketts has advised the majority shareholders of award-winning Norfolk brewery Woodforde’s on its sale to a group of private investors. The financial value of the deal was undisclosed.
Dennis Nudd and Mike Betts have decided to retire from the brewery which is situated in the broadland village of Woodbastwick and the new management team plan to invest heavily in the business as it looks to expand its home and overseas market.
Woodforde’s Brewery’s, next chapter will see a management team formed of James Hughes, previously of drinks business Diageo; Nick Dolan, from beer specialists Real Ale; and investor Rupert Fraser.
Birketts advised on all legal matters with Adrian Possener leading the team. Assistance on the deal was provided on a range of legal services, including corporate (Lottie Fletcher and Arwa Salman), corporate tax (Karl Pocock), property (Melissa Loucas and Andrew Ridout) and employment (Matthew Newnham and Catherine Hepworth).
Mr Nudd, who had been one of two majority shareholders since 1999, said: “After making the decision to retire we sought out the right people to help Woodforde’s continue to grow and innovate, and to protect the values and heritage we have built within the business. In order to achieve this aim it was imperative that we had the right legal team on our side. The client service and project management that we received ensured that a successful outcome was achieved and that our business can continue to thrive.”
Adrian Possener, corporate partner at Birketts, added: “We are delighted to have helped to deliver a successful exit for Dennis Nudd and Mike Betts and look forward to seeing Woodforde’s Brewery thrive under the new management team.”
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at May 2016.