Based in Tunbridge Wells, the corporate and commercial team at Cripps regularly assists with cross-border mandates across a range of industries. The team is headed up by corporate law lead Julie Hughes, who handles healthcare and childcare instructions, and commercial law lead Kathryn Rogers, whose clients include digital media and data management agencies. Leading the growing private equity offering is Salim Somjee, who has experience in M&A, crowdfunding and capital markets work. ‘Go-to partner’ Helen Garner is a ’star’ and also noted for her capital markets expertise. Expanding the firm’s presence in the insurance broking M&A space are James Beatton and Lowri Jones. Nigel Stanford leads on advertising, media and technology related matters. In early 2024, the firm merged with Horsham-based firm PDT Solicitors, which added the expertise of Noel Ruddy, Rebecca Glazebrook, Ian Lindley and Sian Webber.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Good understanding of our business, fast paced responses and personable people and lawyers including Pete Kenyon and Kathryn Rogers.'

  • ‘Julie Hughes and her team are unique in what they do. As a business broker I come across countless law firms on both the buy and sell side and I feel Cripps are the best at what they do. Cripps manage their client's efficiently and effectively. Julie has the perfect balance of support and direction which enables the deals to progress smoothly. They are efficient across the various departments within Cripps which also helps to keep a deal moving. I can't recommend them enough.’

  • ‘Julie Hughes and Lauren Romo have the perfect balance of knowledge, expertise and empathy which makes them so successful in what they do. Julie understands people which is invaluable to this role. That combined with her professionalism and knowledge make her a reliable and consistent lawyer.’

  • ‘They have a highly professional and knowledgeable team, offer interdepartmental and third-party communication and their team working skills are faultless. They are not afraid to challenge on points thought to be unfair or unreasonable. No holdups in the process on their side. Sector knowledge and previous experience of the buyer side is invaluable. The team members included Julie Hughes, Katie Haylock, Lauren Romo and Andreea Rusu.’

  • ‘Cripps represent a quality-led and reasonable cost corporate law firm by virtue of being in Kent with good links to London.’

  • ‘Julie Hughes and Lauren Romo in particular provide practical advice and a very diligent work-ethic to get deals done in the timelines set out and focus on the key issues.’

  • ‘The team offers high quality regional transactional lawyers.’

  • ‘Helen Garner is a star and our go-to partner. She is very bright, has seen it all and a top-class trusted adviser.’

Key clients

  • Chromalloy Gas Turbine, LLC
  • Chapel Down Group plc
  • Modulous Limited
  • Berry Gardens
  • Mirovia UK Limited / Lyvia Group
  • B.P. Marsh & Company Limited
  • Uniguest Holdings, Inc
  • REL Solutions Limited / Arcapix
  • Cadogan Estates Limited
  • Dreamtek Inc / Dreamtek UK
  • EKC Group
  • Soho Capital SAS
  • Brazilian Nickel plc
  • iprism Underwriting Agency Limited
  • HiiROC Limited
  • Kent County Cricket Club
  • Harrow International Schools Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised private equity-backed Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC on the sale of its machining businesses in the UK and France, as well as the pre-sale reorganisation.
  • Advised Modulous Limited on its £16m series A fundraising round.
  • Advised Berry Gardens on the sale of its sales, packaging and distribution business to Driscoll’s.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Cripps
James is a partner in the corporate practice. He has considerable experience in acting for businesses of all sizes across a range of sectors with a particular emphasis on complex M&A and banking transactions. Recent work highlights include advising on the sales of the Cobra Insurance Group to PIB and Aston Lark Insurance Group to Goldman Sachs and leading the Cripps team advising the Pack family on the management buyout of Holiday Extras. James continues to advise our banking clients and has close relationships with Handelsbanken, Santander and HSBC amongst others.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Cripps
Partner in the corporate team specialising in a wide range of corporate and corporate finance transactions with a particular emphasis on acquisitions and disposals with a sector focus on childcare transactions, venture capital/private equity and banking work. Expertise in advising French groups setting up in the UK, or buying, selling or reorganising their UK business.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Julie Hughes, Kathryn Rogers

Other key lawyers

Salim Somjee, Helen Garner, James Beatton, Lowri Jones, Nigel Stanford, Pete Kenyon, Lauren Romo, Katie Haylock, Andreea Rusu, Noel Ruddy, Rebecca Glazebrook, Ian Lindley, Sian Webber, Chehraz Fox, Victoria Jackson