Drive To Build First Class Business Team Continues
The Sheffield office of Irwin Mitchell has again boosted its business legal services team with the appointment of leading Yorkshire-based dealmaker, Matt Ainsworth.
Matt specialises in M&A, private equity, joint ventures, corporate finance and general corporate advisory, and moves to Irwin Mitchell as Partner from DLA Piper in Sheffield where he was a Legal Director.
During the last six months, Matt has advised on the £20m sale of a leading Sheffield-based pharmaceutical simulation business to a US private equity backed group, and the £19m sale of a South Yorkshire provider of specialist decommissioning and dismantling services to an AIM listed environmental services group.
The latest high-profile appointment by Irwin Mitchell is part of an ongoing strategic drive by the firm to expand and establish a leading business legal services team across the UK.
Matt’s appointment follows the announcement in June this year that DWF Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering, Steven Bate, has moved to Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office. DLA’s Head of Construction in Yorkshire, Julie Morrissy, also moved to Irwin Mitchell at the beginning of June.
Commenting on the future opportunities for the region, Matt said: “Despite continuing uncertainties in the macro economic climate and difficulties facing many of our region’s businesses, the Sheffield City Region can be optimistic about its future. There is no doubt that we have been over-reliant on the financial and services sectors in recent years. As a global hub for advanced manufacturing and precision engineering, and with its growing digital industry, the Sheffield City Region will be perfectly positioned to take advantage of a much-needed rebalancing of the UK’s economy. “
He added: “Irwin Mitchell is ideally placed to support the region’s businesses in this exciting and challenging period and I am confident that we will become Sheffield’s leading provider of business legal services.”
Paul Firth, Regional Managing Partner for Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, added: “Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office already has an established corporate offering. I’m confident that Matt’s strong skills set will complement the existing team extremely well and ensure that we continue to provide a high quality legal service to businesses, financial institutions and the advisory community.”