Phillip Hopkins is a Senior Associate in Birketts’ corporate team, based in Norwich.
He advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including acquisitions, disposals, management buy-outs, investments, corporate funding and governance. He also advises on shareholders’ agreements, partnership and joint venture arrangements, articles of association, share buybacks, director duties and company incorporations. Phillip co-leads the SME deals team, focusing on
corporate M&A transactions valued at £1.5 million and below, while also advising on larger and more complex matters, including crossborder and international transactions. He is also part of the family business team.
Having qualified as a Planning Law Solicitor in June 2016 at Norfolk County Council, Phillip later moved into corporate and commercial practice at a regional Norwich firm, bringing with him a broad base of legal experience across both the public and private sectors. Before qualifying as a solicitor, he worked as a clinical trials insurance broker for an international insurance company, advising high-profile pharmaceutical clients on the legal aspects of their insurancev arrangements. This varied background gives him a well-rounded and commercially informed perspective when supporting clients on transactional and advisory matters.
Phillip has experience acting on a wide range of transactions, from streamlined SME deals to more sophisticated and strategically significant matters. His previous work includes acting on the sale of an iconic UK shoe brand, advising on the sale of a UK company to a Malta-incorporated buyer, and working on a $300 million crossjurisdictional international supply contract for an underwater cable project, including associated IRU agreements, landing party agreements and funding arrangements. He has also advised a broad range of owner-managed and family-owned businesses across sectors including healthcare, retail, professional services and technology.
Phillip is known for combining technical detail with a client-focused and commercial approach. He is recognised internally for taking a lead role on transactions, acting as a trusted day-to-day adviser and tailoring his advice and communication style to the needs and commercial sophistication of each client. Approachable, responsive and detail-oriented, he focuses on achieving practical outcomes and delivering a high-quality service throughout the life of a matter.
Recent work highlights
Advising Tribe Impact Capital LLP on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Snowball Impact Management Limited, a strategically significant transaction involving FCA change-of-control approval, complex equity and governance arrangements, amendments to LLP governance documents and
coordination with UK and US advisers.
Acting with Ed Savory for Buffaload Holdings Limited on its acquisition of a majority stake in Drury Holdings Limited, part of the Temples Transport Group.
Carrying day-to-day responsibility, alongside Laura Gray, on the sale of a majority shareholding in Peregrine Livefoods Ltd to George Family Investment Company Limited, a multi-party transaction involving employee ownership and employee benefit trust structures, tax and employee incentive considerations, and a compressed yearend timetable.
Experience & education
2022 Joined Birketts LLP
2018 Corporate / Company Commercial Solicitor at Fosters LLP
2016 Planning Law Solicitor at Norfolk County Council
2016 Qualified as a Solicitor
2011 Clinical Trials Insurance Broker
