Biography
Ben is a Senior Associate in our Corporate team and splits his time between the London and Reading offices.
He advises a broad range of clients, from owner managed businesses to large corporates, on a wide range of domestic and international transactions across all sectors but with a focus on the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Sector, including:
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Disposals
- Venture capital and private equity
- Investments
- Joint ventures
- Reorganisations.
Ben qualified as a solicitor in 2013.
Recent Highlights
- Shortlisted as Young Lawyer of the Year at the 2023 Young Professionals Awards
- Advised the selling shareholders of Combined Technical Solutions Ltd, a mechanical and electrical building services company, to Apleona Group, a European market leader in integrated facility management, headquartered in Germany
- Advised the principal selling shareholder of cube19 Limited, a recruitment technology company, on the sale of the entire issued share capital of the company to large US firm, Bullhorn Inc.
- Advised the multi-award winning ManyPets Ltd, named the fastest growing private insurtech company in the UK in 2018, and more recently voted Pet Insurance Provider of the year at the 2021 MoneyFacts Consumer Awards, on its acquisition of VetBox Ltd
- Advised the owners of The Source (Hastings) Holdings Limited, the world’s leading omni-channel BMX retailer, on an investment into the company
- Advised Borrow A Boat Ltd, the UK’s largest yacht charter broker (the ’Air BnB for boats’), on its acquisition of Harrison Morgan Limited (trading as Helm), adding high-end, luxury charter vessels to Borrow A Boat’s growing business portfolio
- Advised Snowplow Analytics on its £4m investment from MMC Ventures. Snowplow developed unique software enabling businesses to collect and own their customer data, gaining deeper insight into their customers’ behaviour.
- Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of iCasework, a case management specialist, to Civica UK Limited
- Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of Thomas Exchange Global, a London based retail foreign exchange (FX) business, to Irish financial services group, Fexco, now the largest independent FX operator in the UK
- Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of Union Solutions, a £10m turnover infrastructure and cloud specialist business, to IT services provider, Claranet
- Advised Uniplaces on its £15m Series A fundraise, one of the largest Series A fundraisings in Europe that year
- Advised Eastleigh-based Hendy Group on the purchase of the Lifestyle Motor Group in a deal which created a group with more than 1,000 employees. The combined group operates 12 motor franchises in 25 locations and boast an annual turnover of £560m
- Advised Bought by Many Limited, an insurance disruptor and 2015 Fintech Innovation of the Year award winner, in its acquisition of Sussex based pet insurer Brooks Braithwaite (Sussex) Limited.
Testimonials
“The team at Irwin Mitchell have been by our side throughout this refinancing process, providing valuable advice as we pursued the ideal solution for the Group. Their support has been invaluable. They helped us negotiate the way forward as we created a future-focused partnership which has laid the foundation for a truly progressive and sustainable collaboration”. - Founders of the 2 Excel Group
“Our experience with Irwin Mitchell during a critical £50m demerger, which was a precursor to a significant sale, was outstanding. The complexity and intricacy of the planning required for this transaction were substantial, yet the outcome was exceptionally favourable for the end client. The team at Irwin Mitchell distinguished themselves through their collaborative approach, deep legal knowledge, and remarkable efficiency. They were adept at drafting and executing the necessary legal documentation swiftly, ensuring a smooth and successful process. This level of expertise and the ability to navigate complex legal challenges efficiently is a testament to their professionalism and the extensive resources they bring to the table.” – National firm of accountants and tax advisors
Technology and real estate expert Ben Gale…is praised by clients for his “very knowledgeable insights”.
“For us, they are more than a service provider. They are long time partners with a long relationship and track record with us. This enables the team, and Ben Gale in particular, to provide very knowledgeable insights taking into account our own specificities.” - Legal 500, 2024
“The Irwin Mitchell Corporate team supported CTS throughout the past 10 years, culminating in acting on our behalf to complete a sale of the business to Apleona Group during the Summer of 2022.
"Throughout the time that we worked with IM, we always found them to be efficient and responsive and able to deliver practical solutions to our needs for legal support , whether property related, HR, secretarial or in relation to re-structuring the business.
"Throughout the process to sell the business, again IM provided sound advice, and ensured that the sale ran smoothly.” - John Warburton – Chairman of Combined Technical Solutions Ltd
“Irwin Mitchell have been a tremendous advisor throughout this process. I have a long-standing relationship with Bryan Bletso and the firm after they advised me on my previous exit in 2008 and they have been there since the inception of cube19. That close partnership allowed us to run an expedited deal process because Irwin Mitchell knew our business inside and out, creating a smooth transaction for all parties.” – Founder and CEO of cube19 Ltd
"Excellent senior associate, always on hand, very good lawyer and very hands on and personal" - Legal 500, 2022
"The Irwin Mitchell team…was excellent throughout the transaction. The team members worked tirelessly and around the clock to support and guide us successfully through the deal. They have an impressive work ethic and manner, meaning that it was an absolute pleasure and delight to have worked with each and every person at the firm who contributed to getting the transaction over the line. We couldn’t be happier and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending their services to any future potential client.” – the sellers of Thomas Exchange Global
“I’d like to thank you both, and your team, for your professional service throughout the transaction. You were both always extremely responsive and your advice was concise, clear, and considered. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services to future prospective clients.” – the principal seller of Unions Solutions
“Ben Gale…is excellent. Very good, very quick to respond and extremely helpful and diligent. I never feel ‘I am getting the junior’. It feels like I have a direct line, I never have to wait.” – founder of cube19
“Thanks for … all the support you gave us. Really means a lot. Look absolutely forward to working with you again.” – founder of MyAppConverter
“They have been great. I have really enjoyed working with James and Ben. They have got stuck in and spent time with us. We have a good relationship, and if we need something, it has never been a problem.” – founder of Aphex Consulting
“I have struggled to find a good property solicitor and hoped you could point me to one. It’d be nice to go with a brand that I trust!” – shareholder of Bought By Many
“You are amazing and I am forever a client. I love Irwin Mitchell 😊” – founder of Supreme Jets
