Rick Smyth

Partner, Corporate

Areas of expertise

With over 20 years’ experience as a leading corporate lawyer in mid-market corporate finance transactions, Rick has a strong track record in delivering a range of M&A, banking and private equity and investment transactions.

Rick leads on average 8-10 significant transactions per year. He has personally led over 150 corporate transactions in the £5m-50m enterprise value range including acquisitions, disposals, MBO’s/ MBI’s, Refinancing and Employee owned companies.

In addition, Rick advises clients on corporate restructuring and reorganisations – including capital reduction de-mergers, family investment companies, re-mergers, s110 reorganisations, accelerated M&A, Share buy backs, EMI options and similar share schemes.

His clients include owner managed business (ranging from regional to international firms), banks, private equity and other equity funds, entrepreneurs and management teams – many of whom he has advised over many years.

Rick also advises on all aspects of company law, such as directors’ duties, shareholder agreements, shareholder protections, etc.

Rick is listed in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 as a key lawyer.

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Credentials

Expertise

Recent Work

Advising on the management buy out of Smarts Plumbing Specialists limited

Advising promotions company Project Victoria Limited on its duel acquisition of both Blue-Peg Limited and Beautiful Minds Limited

Advising European drinks giant MBG Global GmbH on their investment into a UK private food and beverage company.

Acquisition of business and assets of Moorecare Limited by New Dawn Healthcare Limited

Advising acquirer on the management buy out of Mobile Promotions Corporate Events Limited

Advising Global Chinese automotive component manufacturer on its European capital restructuring project

Advising BGF on further investment in The Coaching Inn Group Limited

Capital reorganisation and management buyout of Qualfab Limited

Qualifications/ Memberships

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Testimonials

We greatly appreciated Rick and the team’s pragmatic and proactive approach – helping us navigate both the process and overcome some tricky technical issues. We look forward to working with them again on our future corporate acquisitions and view them as very much part of our team.

— David Walley – CEO Mobile Promotions.

The team at Wilkes consistently provide a quality service which is both pro-active and pragmatic. Their expertise in these types of transactions was most valuable in getting the deal done to the satisfaction of all parties involved. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Wilkes as our business continues to grow.

— David Peggie – CEO, PPS Equipment Holdings

We are very grateful to Rick and the Wilkes team for their support over the last few years. Their considerable experience in negotiating [the £16m sale of Silverwing UK], as well as their pragmatic and timely response to whatever issues came up, were invaluable in and on helping us achieve a successful exit.

— Wayne Woodhead - MD, Silverwing UK

We felt confident throughout the negotiations that Rick and the team were completely on top of the deal and helping to drive the process to completion. We are grateful for their help, expertise and energy.

— Alan Smart – CEO, Smarts Holdings

We have been working with Wilkes for a number of years and always appreciate their pragmatic approach to getting the job done. We look forward to working with Rick and the Wilkes team again on transactions of this nature.

— Mark Freer - BGF

We were hugely impressed by the way in which Wilkes handled the [£(con)M acquisition of Martin International limited]. Rick and the rest of the Wilkes team expertly guided us through both the funding and the acquisition process. We would not hesitate to recommend their services to other businesses.

— John McGurk – McGurk Performance Cars

‘Rick Smyth is technically excellent but also pragmatic and smart – invariably able to find a solution to any tricky situation (legal or non-legal) based on his extensive commercial experience. I am always totally confident introducing a new client to Rick and his team.’

— Client Feedback – The Legal 500 2022

‘Rick Smyth is the consummate professional and over the years has totally restored my faith in the legal profession, despite the obvious success he also finds time to work hard at various charity fund raising activities.’

— Client Feedback – The Legal 500 2022