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Lawrence Stephens Advises on Sale of FMS Foils Group to WZ Packaging

Posted on: October 15th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

We are proud to have advised on the sale of the entire issued share capital of FMS Foils Group Limited to WZ Packaging Limited, marking not just a successful transaction, but a significant milestone in a client relationship that has spanned more than 25 years.

FMS Foils Group has been a valued client of Lawrence Stephens since 1998, when Jeff Rubenstein, Head of Corporate and Commercial, first began advising the business shortly after joining the firm. Over the decades we’ve had the privilege of supporting the Group and its shareholders through every chapter of their journey, from formation and growth to this successful exit. This enduring partnership is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the strength of the relationships we build.

The acquisition by WZ Packaging brings together two leaders in aluminium flexible packaging, positioning the combined group for continued innovation and global expansion.

Our Corporate and Commercial team provided end-to-end legal support throughout the transaction.

Jeff Rubenstein, Head of Corporate and Commercial, commented:

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside and support FMS Foils Group for over 25 years. This transaction reflects the value of long-term client relationships and the importance of consistent, trusted legal guidance. I’m incredibly proud of the trust David and Paul have placed in us over the years, it’s been a true partnership.”

David Watson, FMS Foils Group, added:

“Jeff and the team at Lawrence Stephens have been with us since day one. Their advice has always been clear, commercial, and deeply supportive. We couldn’t have asked for better legal partners on this journey.”

Read more about our Corporate and Commercial services.

Lawrence Stephens Advises Maidenhead Aquatics on Acquisition of New Nottingham Store

Posted on: October 15th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens has advised fishkeeping and aquatics supplier Maidenhead Aquatics on the acquisition of their new store at 66 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham. This strategic move marks a consolidation of the company’s presence in the city and reinforces its position as an industry leader. 

Founded in 1984, Maidenhead Aquatics has evolved into the UK’s premier destination for fishkeeping and aquatic supplies. With over 130 stores nationwide and a well-established online platform, the company is continuing to expand its footprint. With the acquisition of the new store in Nottingham, Maidenhead Aquatics is further strengthening its presence in the region and displaying their commitment to growth in the aquatics sector. 

Supervising Partner in the Commercial Real Estate team, Matt Hind added:

“We are delighted to have acted for Maidenhead Aquatics on this transaction.  From start to finish my colleague Mo has been instrumental in driving this deal for Maidenhead Aquatics. He has done a terrific job at delivering a successful result for the client and supporting them in their expansion.”

Solicitor Mohammad Hammoud commented:

“Maidenhead Aquatics now have a large new location where they can continue their excellent work and growth in the historic city of Nottingham. Their growth is a testament to their commitment to being the best in the aquatics business and I look forward to seeing them thrive in their new store.”

Sam Kent, a Partner at Maidenhead Aquatics commented:

“Working with Mohammad Hammoud at Lawrence Stephens to get this acquisition completed has been so efficient. Complex issues were dealt with, explained fully and communication was outstanding throughout. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Mo in the future.”

This deal was handled by Mohammad Hammoud and assisted by James Parker. To read more about the Commercial Real Estate team and their services, please click here.

Lawrence Stephens Advises HFMC Wealth on a Series of Strategic Acquisitions

Posted on: October 13th, 2025 by Alanah Lenten

Lawrence Stephens advises top 100 UK IFA HFMC Wealth on a series of acquisitions as part of its ongoing consolidation strategy in the financial services sector. Our Corporate, Banking, and Property teams collaborated seamlessly to ensure smooth and efficient transactions.

The firm has completed a handful of key transactions for the  business over recent years:

The acquisition of R&S Financial Planning, a wealth planning business, adding £145 million to HFMC’s assets under advice.

The acquisition of Harford Financial Limited, a specialist mortgage brokerage.

The acquisition of Generic Financial Management, contributing an additional £150 million in assets under management.

The acquisition of Weston Cummins Limited, a wealth planning firm, adding a further £350 million in assets under advice.

These acquisitions significantly expand HFMC Wealth’s national footprint and reinforce its position as a leading independent financial adviser (IFA) in the UK.

We also advised HFMC Group in connection with a multi-million pound refinance of its existing loan facilities with Thincats Loans Limited to support their ongoing acquisition strategy.

Reflecting on the deals, Jeff Rubenstein, Head of Corporate and Commercial, expressed his pleasure in working with HFMC on these acquisitions. He commended the exceptional performance of our team and witnessing HFMC’s ongoing growth.

Phil Patient, Group COO of HFMC Wealth, commented:

“We are thrilled to continue a strong year of acquisitions for HFMC and to continue working with the crucial assistance of the team at Lawrence Stephens, who handled the transactions swiftly and with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail.”

These transactions reflect Lawrence Stephens’ continued commitment to supporting clients in the rapidly evolving financial services and IFA landscape.

Senior Associate Ona Proctor Joins Lawrence Stephens’ Expanding Real Estate Finance Team

Posted on: October 10th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

We’re pleased to announce that Ona Proctor has joined Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in our Real Estate Finance team.

Ona is a bilingual Korean real estate finance and commercial real estate lawyer with over 10 years’ experience advising Korean and international banks, asset managers, and institutional investors. Ona joins us, having previously worked at several international law firms, most recently gaining experience at Howard Kennedy LLP and Osborne Clarke LLP.

Her practice focuses on investment and secured lending across a wide range of asset types, including hotels, retail parks, care homes, and education facilities. Ona also has extensive experience managing cross-border transactions for Korean clients.

Ona’s appointment follows the recent hire of two new directors in the Real Estate Finance team, marking a significant time in the team’s expansion and strategic development.

Ann Ebberson, Director and Head of Real Estate Finance, commented:

“Ona’s arrival marks a significant step in the expansion of our Real Estate Finance team. Her technical ability, international experience, and deep sector knowledge will be invaluable to our clients and our growth.”

For more information on the Real Estate team and their services, click here.

Lawrence Stephens Recognised in Legal 500

Posted on: October 3rd, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is delighted to share that it has been recognised in the 2026 Legal 500 Directory in the Commercial Property: Occupiers, Property Finance, Residential Property, Retail and Consumer and TMT: Sport categories.

The Sport and Entertainment team’s ranking has improved, moving up to Tier 4, and our Banking and Real Estate Finance teams have maintained their Tier 7 ranking in the very competitive Property Finance category.

We were also pleased to be recognised as a ‘Firm to Watch’ for the first time in the Commercial Property: Occupiers, Residential Property, and Retail and Consumer categories.

This widening of recognition reflects the increased awareness and profile we have achieved with our clients and other legal sector intermediaries.

We continue to grow, undertaking larger and more complex assignments, and these more substantial mandates, increased bench strength and our distinctive approach are helping build our reputation across the board. It is very rewarding to hear our clients talk about our “ability to be commercial, decipher a client’s needs, and provide recommendations accordingly”, we couldn’t have hoped for more.  

Managing Director Steven Bernstein commented: “This is very much a journey. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and, like our clients, we are ambitious and keen to learn. We look forward to building on these strong foundations”.

Lawrence Stephens Welcomes Two New Directors to Real Estate Finance Team

Posted on: October 3rd, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Directors to the Real Estate Finance team, Joe Jarvis and Josip Stajfer who both join from Arch Law. 

Joe Jarvis brings extensive experience across commercial and residential property finance. Known for his pragmatic approach and strong communication skills, Joe has built a reputation as a trusted legal advisor who consistently delivers high-quality results under pressure. He has acted for a broad range of clients including banks, borrowers, PLCs, overseas investors, and trusts, with particular expertise in development finance and planning matters. 

Joe Jarvis said: 
“I’m excited to be joining Lawrence Stephens at such an exciting time for the firm. I look forward to working with the Real Estate Finance team and continuing to deliver commercially focused, solutions-driven advice to our clients.” 

Josip Stajfer’s practice centres on lender-side transactions, with particular experience in bridging, development, and residential finance. He also brings specialist knowledge in co-living and hotel finance and has advised on a wide range of investment and corporate real estate matters. Josip’s international experience, especially across Central and Eastern Europe, adds a valuable cross-border dimension to the team’s capabilities. 

Josip Stajfer said: 
“Joining Lawrence Stephens is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking and ambitious team. I’m looking forward to supporting our clients across a broad spectrum of real estate finance matters.” 

Together, Joe and Josip’s appointments reflect the firm’s continued investment in building a versatile and high-performing Real Estate Finance team, capable of supporting clients across a wide range of sectors and deal types. 

Ann Ebberson, Director and Head of Real Estate Finance as Lawrence Stephens said: 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Josip Stajfer and Joe Jarvis to our Real Estate Finance team. Both bring outstanding experience, excellent sector knowledge, and strong client relationships that will further enhance our capabilities and broaden our commercial reach. Their appointments mark an exciting chapter for our team, and I’m confident they’ll play a key role in our continued growth.” 

To read more about the Real Estate Finance team’s services, please click here.

Matt Green Shares Expertise on BBC’s File on 4: Investigating Crypto Crime in the UK

Posted on: October 2nd, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Matt Green, Director and Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets, is a regular commentator on all things crypto and recently featured in BBC’s File on 4, one of the UK’s most respected investigative journalism programmes.

File on 4 has built a reputation for in-depth investigative reporting on some of the most pressing topics in society, from political scandals and corporate misconduct to human rights and financial crime. Produced by BBC Radio 4, the programme is known for shaping public understanding and policy on the UK’s most complex issues and has a weekly audience running into millions.

In this episode, which aired on the 30 September, File on 4 investigated the surge in phone thefts across London and the associated theft of funds from online accounts. In 2024 alone, there were up to 80,000 devices stolen in London’s streets and transport network. The loss to users goes far beyond having to replace stolen devices, as gangs are now exploiting unlocked phones to access victims’ online banking and cryptocurrency accounts.

Matt offered his expert insight into why crypto assets are particularly attractive to criminals, and how victims’ funds are emptied and transferred into criminal accounts: “The problem is that there are no regulatory provisions that ensure you can get your money back. You have to spend, as a consumer, a good deal of money paying for investigators and lawyers to seek to recover your funds. That is expensive, it doesn’t always work because funds can be sent to various jurisdictions which don’t always comply with court orders, and it makes the process a lot more difficult. I would like it so that there is some sort of duty or obligation for crypto currency exchanges to play a role in helping consumers and protect them further.”

Known for his work tracing and recovering crypto assets across borders, Matt regularly advises on high-value disputes involving blockchain technology and has helped shape UK legal precedent on digital property. As part of his role as chair of techUK’s Digital Asset Working Group, he is closely involved in the drive to improve regulation to help consumers recover stolen digital assets.

You can listen to the full podcast here, Matt enters the conversation at 29m16s.

To read more about our blockchain, digital and crypto assets services, please click here.

Lawrence Stephens Strengthens Corporate Team With Director Hire

Posted on: September 29th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce the appointment of Director, Ryan D’Souza, who joins the firm to further strengthen its Corporate & Commercial offering.

Ryan brings with him over 20 years’ experience in corporate and commercial law, advising clients on complex mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private equity and restructuring matters across a broad range of sectors and jurisdictions.  Ryan’s practice includes advising on corporate and commercial contracts for companies, shareholders and partnerships, with an additional focus on employment law matters. He is particularly noted for his experience in the sale and acquisition of Lloyd’s LLVs, which own underwriting capacity in Lloyd’s of London insurance market and provide capital to the Lloyd’s syndicates. He also advises on legal issues relating to blockchain and crypto-assets, a growing area of interest for the firm’s technology and innovation clients.

With an MBA complementing his legal expertise, Ryan offers clients a commercially attuned perspective that underpins his practical, business-first approach to legal strategy. He is also a Solicitor-Advocate and was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 2003, a background which gives him a strong understanding of contentious issues and offers clients added reassurance when navigating high-value, high-stakes transactions.

At Lawrence Stephens, Ryan will play a key role in growing the firm’s Corporate & Commercial team and supporting the wider firm with specialist knowledge of digital asset transactions.

Commenting on his appointment, Ryan said:
“It’s an exciting time to be joining Lawrence Stephens, a firm with a strong entrepreneurial ethos and growing reputation for its expertise in cutting-edge sectors. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the firm to deliver strategic advice that meets the needs of our dynamic client base.”

Jeff Rubenstein, Head of Corporate at Lawrence Stephens, commented:
“Ryan’s breadth of experience across corporate and commercial law makes him a great addition to our team. His track record advising on complex transactions, from M&A and private equity to corporate finance and commercial contracts, aligns perfectly with our strategic growth in these areas. In particular, his specialist knowledge of the wider insurance market adds a valuable dimension to our offering. We’re excited to welcome Ryan and look forward to the impact his insight and commercial acumen will bring to our clients.”

Lawrence Stephens Appointed to Aspen Bridging’s Legal Panel

Posted on: September 15th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce that we have been appointed to Aspen Bridging’s legal panel.

Aspen Bridging is a specialist lender known for delivering expert, fast, and dependable service. As a family-run business, Aspen is deeply committed to building long-term relationships and prides itself on being a reliable partner through every market condition.

Jack Coombs, Managing Director at Aspen, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Lawrence Stephens and are confident, especially when combined with our No Valuation product, that we are providing borrowers and brokers with not only a competitive offering, but one that can credibly be regarded as best-in-class.”

Ann Ebberson, Head of Real Estate Finance at Lawrence Stephens commented: “We are delighted to be appointed to the legal panel and to support Aspen deliver their services. Our team looks forward to working collaboratively to provide commercially focused, responsive legal solutions that support both lenders and borrowers. Whether it’s a refinance, purchase, or refurbishment, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for all parties involved.”

For more information on our Real Estate Finance and Banking solutions please click here.

Matt Green co-signs letter to UK Government urging inclusion of DLT in UK-US Tech Bridge

Posted on: September 12th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Director and Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets, Matt Green, has co-signed a letter to the UK Government alongside a coalition of leading associations from the digital, finance, and technology sectors, proudly representing techUK.

The letter, addressed to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, urges that distributed ledger technology (DLT) – particularly tokenisation and stablecoins – be included as a core strand of the upcoming UK-US Tech Bridge. The signatories highlight that this transatlantic initiative presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the UK and US to set global standards in digital finance, strengthen their markets, and reinforce their joint leadership in financial innovation.

Matt Green, who signed in his capacity as Chair of the Blockchain Working Group at techUK, joined representatives from the City of London Corporation, UK Finance, Global Digital Finance, TheCityUK, the Crypto Council for Innovation, The Payments Association, and others in calling for the Government to seize this critical opportunity. The coalition’s effort was coordinated by the UK Cryptoasset Business Council.

Click here to read their letter in full.

This news was covered by Bloomberg.

Lawrence Kelly Named in Spear’s 2025 Litigation & Dispute Resolution Index

Posted on: September 10th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

Director and Head of Dispute Resolution Lawrence Kelly has been ranked in the Spear’s Magazine Litigation and Dispute Resolution Index 2025 as a Top Recommended adviser.

Spear’s is a wealth management and luxury lifestyle media brand whose flagship magazine has become a must-read for the ultra-high-net-worth community. It is also required reading for the affluent financial services community, including the bankers, lawyers and family offices who advise the wealthy.

Each year Spear’s publishes indices of the top advisers from a range of different fields. These indices incorporate a three-tiered ranking system and rankings are drawn up on the basis of peer nominations, client feedback, telephone and face-to-face interviews, data supplied by firms, as well as information gathered by the Spear’s editorial and research teams.

We are delighted to see recognition of Lawrence’s work in this publication which highlights top corporate lawyers who specialise in advising high-net-worth individuals.

Click here to see the full rankings.

Lawrence Stephens Announces the Appointment of Rekha Toor as Senior Associate to Its Private Wealth team

Posted on: September 10th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

Lawrence Stephens is pleased to announce the appointment of Rekha Toor as Senior Associate to its Private Wealth team.

Rekha joins us from a specialist firm, bringing extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Probate Disputes. She is a Full Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and ConTra – The Contentious Trusts Association, and has been recognised as a Recommended Lawyer by the Legal 500. Rekha regularly advises on high-value and complex disputes, including those with cross-border elements, and is committed to resolving matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) wherever possible. Her appointment further strengthens our team’s capabilities and reflects our continued commitment to growth.

Head of Private Wealth and Succession Planning, Gareth Hughes said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Rekha Toor to Lawrence Stephens and our Private Wealth and succession planning team. Rekha brings a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience in contentious probate matters, which will be invaluable to our clients. Her appointment marks an exciting step in the team’s development and supports our strategic focus on expanding our expertise in this complex area of law.”