Birketts’ Motor Industry Group assists Gates Ford expansion
10 January 2018
Top 100 law firm Birketts has advised Gates Group Limited on the acquisition of four car dealerships from Ford Retail Limited for an undisclosed sum.
Gates Ford, a family-owned and operated business whose history stretches back almost 100 years, now operates from ten sites across the Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London area.
Birketts advised on all legal matters with Adam Jones (Corporate Partner) leading the team. He was assisted by Alex Forwood (Corporate Solicitor), Clare Barlow (Employment Legal Director) and members of the Commercial Property Team, Matthew Grindley (Senior Associate), Duncan Williamson (Legal Director) and Hannah Harbottle (Solicitor).
Chairman of Gates Ford, Heath Greenall said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of these dealerships, which are an important part of our ongoing growth strategy. We were aware of Birketts’ Motor Industry Group’s growing reputation in the marketplace, and wanted to work with a team of lawyers that understand the nuances of our sector and are experienced in all aspects of the law relating to the motor industry sector, which Birketts proved themselves to be.”
He continued: “As a fifth generation family-owned and operated business it is also important for our advisers to fully grasp our strategy and the wider importance of this transaction to what we are seeking to achieve in the business, and Adam completely gets the direction we are taking and the legacy we are building.”
Adam Jones, member of the Birketts Motor Industry Group and also Birketts’ Head of Family Owned Business Team, said: “It has been a pleasure to advise Gates Group on its expansion plans as it builds for its long-term future. The motor sector is currently going through a correction, and we are likely to see the market contract a little further in the first half of 2018, but the board of Gates Group see the clear opportunities to be gained from continued M&A activity, particularly as we expect the used car market to continue to perform well.”
The content of this article is for general information only. For further information, please contact Adam Jones or a member of Birketts’ Corporate Finance Team.
This article is from the winter 2018 issue of Inside Out, Birketts commercial newsletter on current and upcoming legislation and news. To download the latest issue, please visit the newsletter section of our website.
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Adam Jones
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Alex Forwood
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Clare Barlow
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Matthew Grindley
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Duncan Williamson
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Hannah Harbottle
Services
Sectors
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 January 2018.