what's in the news

Award winning law firm Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of David Macrae, the Managing Director of Popshots Studios Limited, a distributor of 3D pop-up greetings cards, stationery and promotional and marketing materials in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He has acquired Popshots Studios Limited in a management buy-out from the Up With Paper group of companies, based in Mason, Ohio, USA, for an undisclosed consideration.

The transaction was led by Pitmans’ Corporate Partner Philip Weaver, Corporate Partner Adam Dowdney, Corporate solicitor Carolyn Butler, and Banking solicitor Mark Metcalfe.

Commenting on the transaction, David Macrae said “We were referred to Pitmans by an associate and were delighted with the speed and thorough handling of our time-sensitive purchase.”

Adam Dowdney, Pitmans’ Corporate Partner said: “We were delighted to assist David in this management buy-out of a business in which he has been involved for some time. The deal was completed in a very short time-frame, which reflects the flexibility and strength in depth of the Corporate and Banking teams we have here at Pitmans. We wish David every success for the future.”

L to R: Sarah Whitaker, RBS; George Solly, Duchess of Kent House; Graham Rutter, BDO; Adam Dowdney, Pitmans and Ellen Rutter

The Reading Professionals Christmas Lunch event was launched by BDO, Pitmans LLP and RBS in Christmas 2008, with the 2011 event again being a resounding success. It was attended by a record number of 280 people from the professional community of Reading involving accountants, solicitors, bankers and property valuers together with invited guests who this year included Nigel Howe, CEO of Reading Football Club  and Andy Martin CEO of London Irish Rugby Club.
 
The chief organiser on this occasion was Graham Rutter from BDO.  The organisation is rotated each year between the firms and this time he was ably assisted by Adam Dowdney from Pitmans and Andrew Clarke from RBS.
 
One of the main reasons the event was set up was to raise funds for local charities and this year the designated charity was Duchess of Kent House Charity. This was particularly poignant for Graham Rutter as he lost his daughter-in-law to cancer last summer and she used the wonderful services provided by Duchess of Kent House. The grand sum of £6,500 was raised.

This article was published by Asset Finance International

The new Bribery Act (the “Act”), is a wholesale reform of the old bribery laws which were a complicated and confusing combination of statutory and common law offences from more than 100 years of legal development in this area.

The need for reform was widely acknowledged, however, the final result may have alarming consequences for corporate entities, including asset lenders and equipment leasing companies operating in and outside the UK, as many law abiding businesses could inadvertently break the new rules if they are not properly prepared. Therefore, it is important for organisations to consider now what the Act means for them and what actions they need to take as a result.

To read more, please click here.

The survey is now closed.

The results will be published in January 2012.

For your copy, please email poppy@pitmans.com

As many workers made their way home for their weekend, over 130 Reading based IT and Business professionals settled in to their makeshift camp for an evening in Forbury Gardens, all as part of the 13th annual Thames Valley Byte Night. Byte Night helps to raise money for the Action for Children charity which helps young homeless people get off the streets.

Sleeping bags were unrolled by many leading Thames Valley based firms, including Microsoft, Barclays Corporate, BDO, Volume and Pitmans LLP. They were joined across the UK by others taking part in similar events in London, Edinburgh and Cambridge.

The events have reportedly raised over £750,000 for the charity, an increase of £183,000 on 2010.

Pitmans Technology team, including Rustam Roy, Tim Clark, Andrew Peddie, Richard Devall and Philip James were pleased to participate in this night of fun, but with a very serious and important message.

Head of Technology, Tim Clark said “Thank heavens for a warm October evening, even though it did start to rain in the early hours of the morning! We’re really grateful to all our family, friends, colleagues and clients for supporting us in our night in the wild. We’ve seen sights in Reading that we didn’t know existed, and will be dining off for years to come. There was great spirit on the night, but thankfully we were in warm sleeping bags. We were very grateful to all those involved and look forward to participating in next year’s event.”

Pitmans next charity event is on the 24th November, when we are holding a charity pub quiz in aid of Combat Stress at the Sun Inn pub on Castle Street, Reading. If you would like to enter a team, please contact Jenny Littlewood.

City Cycle Style is a photographic exhibition of London’s most stylish cyclists by internationally renowned photographer Horst A. Friedrichs at The Royal Exchange, which aims to promote cycling as an enjoyable, stylish lifestyle choice.

Among the exhibition are photographs of Pitmans Partners, Sally Britton and David Archer.

The Lord Mayor hosted the launch event which included an auction of limited-edition fashion accessories including “The Original Boris Bike”, specially designed and engraved with Boris Johnson’s signature by Gunn & Co, to raise funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2011, Bear Necessities.

Click here to see the City Cycle Style event video.

Photographs courtesy of Jorgie Dieguez

Pitmans, Thames Valley’s leading law firm, are proudly sponsoring this years Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards, continuing their long-standing relationship with the largest business publication in the region.

The Thames Valley boasts some of the most dynamic and successful companies in the UK. It remains the cauldron of the country’s high technology industries, the home of many manufacturing companies and a base for a wide variety of excellent service and professional organisations. This Award is open to every company in the area and recognises not only profitability, innovation and employment but also the contribution made to the local economic community and the provision of support to culture and charities in the region.

Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Pitmans LLP

This award is open to every company in the Thames Valley. We welcome applications from businesses demonstrating a true commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit that lies at the heart of the Thames Valley. Judges are looking for those showing a flair for identifying and developing growth markets, have a demonstrable track record of achievement and profitability, present strong employment credentials and display their contribution to the local economic community including support given to charities and the culture of the region.

Pitmans Managing Partner, Christopher Avery comments “winning this category will demonstrate your strength, dynamism and innovation, helping to promote your business to potential targets, boost staff morale and reinforce your reputation across the Thames Valley and beyond.”

We welcome your application for the Thames Valley Business Magazine’s, Business of the Year 2011 Award.

The deadline for all applications is 30th September 2011.

Please download your application form and return to:

Linda Morse
The Business Magazine
2 The Courtyard
The Old Dairy House
Maidenhatch
Pangbourne
Berkshire
RG8 8HP
T: 0118 974 5584
E: linda@elcot.co.uk

Our Technology lawyers are more than just advisers, they regard themselves as part of the industry they practice in. On Friday 7 October, five of our technology team will be sleeping out on the streets of Reading for Byte Night 2011.
 
Over 700 people from the IT and business community will be taking part this year. Byte Night raises valuable funds to help Action for Children tackle the root causes of youth homelessness. The event helps thousands of children and young people across the UK to build better lives with secure accommodation, education and training opportunities and family support.
 
Pitmans’ team consists of Tim Clark, Andrew Peddie, Richard Devall, Philip James and Rustam Roy. They hope to raise over £3000 for the cause and have set up an easy way to support them via Just Giving: http://www.justgiving.com/teams/pitmans/
 
The Pitmans team would be extremely grateful for any support you can offer. Why not contribute to Byte Night 2011? You will be helping fund innovative projects such as the Bayswater Families Centre and the Fostering Therapeutic Service.
 
Last year, Byte Night raised a record £567,000 and this year we need your support to ensure it continues to be the biggest single event benefiting Action for Children. Byte Night really does help change lives. You may find it changes your life too.
 
If you would like to hear about other ways in which your organisation could contribute to this very worthwhile event please get in touch with one of the Pitmans team.

Award winning Thames Valley law firm Pitmans LLP has been recognised for its exceptional deal making achievements in Experian’s league table of Corporate Finance Advisers HY2011. Ranked 4th by volume of deals, Pitmans LLP joins the league for the first time in the South East and is ranked alongside much larger firms including Linklaters, Ashurst and Pinsent Masons.

Pitmans LLP has an award winning corporate team of 6 partners and 5 solicitors led by Andrew Peddie. Over the last 6 months the team has advised on a variety of deals ranging from Technology companies, pharmaceuticals, transport and food manufacturers.  Philip Weaver deserves particular recognition having completed 4 deals in 10 days in June.

Commenting on the achievement, Managing Partner Christopher Avery said “I’m thrilled that once again the achievements of Pitmans corporate team have been recognised. Pitmans is a hotbed of talent and this ranking is clear recognition from our clients and from the market that Pitmans leads the pack in getting deals done in the Thames Valley”.  

Click here to view the League Table online

Click here to download PDF

“SMEs will find some athletes willing to accept backing for a few hundred pounds. The beauty of the Olympic Games is that it provides opportunities for a wider appeal for the athletes who are not yet household names,” says Jeremy Summers.

Click here to read more.