The focus is tech at WBD

March 5, 2020

Womble Bond Dickinson’s (WBD) expert technology sector team draws on specialist service disciplines while adding the understanding of the issues, unique to technology clients, in a rapidly evolving sector.

• The only full service firm in the region with specialists who focus solely on each of data, technology, cyber and intellectual property – vital areas for any technology business of any size.

• Key advisers on the two largest PE tech investments in the past two years (on investments into NBS and IAM Sold) and advisers on 29 tech transactions over the past three years.

• Capabilities range from advising world leaders in software, electronics and communications to entrepreneurs building and scaling start-ups

CORPORATE

Specialists in all kinds of corporate transactions, but especially M&A, MBOs, equity investments and fundraising and private equity transactions involving technology businesses.

Ben Butler leads WBD’s Newcastle corporate team and specialises in growing and scaling local businesses. His experience includes advising North East challenger bank Atom Bank Plc on its equity fundraisings, totalling in excess of £450m.

Contact Ben on 0191 279 9842/ben.butler@wbd-uk.com

Oliver Rickett supports Ben and has a strong focus on working with tech and media businesses as well as scaling start-ups through WBD’s Accelerate service line and working with tech businesses. Oli advised on the recent investment in Biosignatures Limited and the MBO of leading digital marketing agency, Mediaworks. He has also worked closely with the management team of mindfulness app developers Happy Not Perfect.

Contact Oli on 0191 279 9970 /oliver.rickett@wbduk.com/@TechLawyerNE

COMMERCIAL, TECHNOLOGY AND DATA

Caroline Churchill specialises in software, data and technology. The leading data protection and cyber security expert in the region., Caroline is a regular contributor to Dynamo’s cyber events and is the “go-to” in the North East for advice relating to the internet of things, data and cloud solutions. Her previous experience includes roles at Hewlett-Packard and Sage.

Contact Caroline on 0191 279 9069/caroline.churchill@wbd-uk.com

TAX AND EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

Regularly advising on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, WBD’s tax team (the only specialist tax team in the region) regularly advise on the design, establishment and operation of, and the associated tax consequences of, employee incentive arrangements (including share options and other share and cash based investments) – crucial for many growing tech businesses looking to effectively and efficiently incentivise key management.

Jeremy Smith is head of WBD’s tax team and is regularly supported by Gemma Bourne who advises on both EMI approved and unapproved share option arrangements for businesses at all stages of their growth cycle but with a particular focus on advising early-stage start-ups.

Contact Jeremy on 0191 279 9803/jeremy.smith@wbd-uk.com

Contact Gemma on 0191 230 8642/gemma.bourne@wbd-uk.com

WBD ACCELERATE

WBD’s solution for early-stage businesses as a means for providing them with quality legal advice, on a low-cost basis. Making sure the ‘legals’ are right from an early stage of a businesses’ lifetime will save time, costs and future risk. WBD Accelerate provides the tools to help a business kick start its growth cycle.

For more information, please speak to Oli Rickett on 0191 279 9970/oliver.rickett@wbd-uk.com or Stacey Hall on 0191 279 9032/stacey.hall@ wbd-uk.com

Womble Bond Dickinson 
WBD is hosting a talk and panel discussion on Demographic Disruption on March 17, 4-5.30pm, led by generations expert Dr Eliza Filby. The event will be held at The Catalyst at Newcastle Helix. www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk/demographicdisruption

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