2025 was an active and rewarding year for Wake Smith’s Corporate and Commercial team in Sheffield.
Strategic commercial advice, banking, corporate and succession-focused work led to the completion of a broad range of instructions in the SME and private equity space, with a specific increased focus on complex share structures.
Rebecca Robinson, head of company commercial at Wake Smith Solicitors, shines a spotlight on three key instructions from the range of work the team has advised on in the last 12 months, highlighting the expertise, collaboration and creativity, and confirming an impressive mix of transactions across multiple sectors.
Corporate deals advice provided included:
Acquisitions and Disposals
- The acquisition of Eastleigh Lakeside Miniature Railway Group - the third miniature railway business we have completed for this enthusiastic client.
- The sale of Elmore Kindergartens, three Sheffield childcare nurseries acquired by Nurtured Childcare. The deal was supported by a £2.7 million loan from digital bank OakNorth.
- The sale of a Barnsley-based manufacturer and installer of industrial and commercial doors, supporting the retirement of its original founders.
Share Structures
- The demerger of the T L Killis group of companies involving share-for-share exchanges, own share purchases and capital reductions working closely with Hawsons Chartered Accountants.
- Navigating a complex division of businesses and assets for a 50% shareholder, enabling both
shareholders of the group to separate their interests and move forward independently. - Advising the majority shareholder on the £2.2m sale of a 25% controlling stake in an industrial tooling business, to a private equity investor
Investment
- The £17 million equity and debt investment by private equity firm Zachary Asset Holdings into Castings Technology International Ltd, led by Castle Square Corporate Finance.
- A seed investment into a software-based pharmaceutical compliance solution
- Supported a private equity investment into Marvel Training Ltd which included the transfer of the existing business, loan financing and debt conversion arrangements.
MBOs
- The £8.75million management buyout of a South Yorkshire based construction company (supported by facilities from HSBC).
- the £2.7million management buy-out of an IFA and mortgage brokers group.
- Advising on the management buy-out of LRes-UK Limited, a Sheffield-based industrial cleaning business, supported by facilities from Lloyds Bank.
EOTs
- Acting on the transfer of 51% of the issued share capital of Ross Holdings Limited to an EOT as part of a succession plan for founders Gerald Brooks and Jeremy Martin.
- The transition of a health services laboratory to an employee ownership trust
- The transfer of majority ownership of a kitchen and interiors business to an employee ownership trust.
Banking work included:
- A £2m commercial facility to fund the initial payment on the transition of a long-standing
Sheffield business to an employee ownership trust. - Advising HSBC on a commercial facility to support the management buyout of Home Décor Limited and facilitating the exit of the private equity shareholder.
- Advising on the terms of a contingent share purchase, easing the exit of a US investor and the formal termination of joint venture arrangements.
Commercial work, included:
- Advising a packaging client on a major equipment supply and installation contract and helped a franchisee secure improved renewal terms across three key franchises, including new succession protections.
- Advising a fast growing, local digital animation company on the terms for their new
project with an international games company and negotiating the final terms
of the accompanying master services agreement. - Advising a franchisee on the renegotiation of the terms of three franchise agreements in relation to three successfully established franchise businesses.
Wake Smith’s sponsorship of the South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards continued with Head of Corporate Rebecca Robinson presenting the Deal of the Year (£10m+) award, as well as her predecessor John Baddeley winning the much coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
The team’s work was recognised regionally by winning the Deal of the Year (£5m–£25m) at the Yorkshire
Dealmakers Awards 2025 for its role in ensuring Castings Technology International secured £17m in investment, automatically shortlisting the deal at the National Dealmakers Awards next month.
The 2026 Legal500 praised the team as “A solid and reliable corporate team” with “excellent heritage”, particularly in the manufacturing sector and “Knowledgeable and friendly” with a strong understanding of our clients’ businesses.
Rebecca Robinson was singled out for commendation as a “hardworking, knowledgeable and reliable corporate partner”, especially in the fields of demergers and group reorganisations.
Rebecca added: “We thank our clients for their ambition and continued trust in our work and our fellow professionals for bringing their particular technical excellence and unwavering energy to every project.”
For further advice on how the Company Commercial team at Wake Smith Solicitors can help your business call 0114 266 6660.