Leading law firm Howes Percival has expanded its Milton Keynes based Corporate, Commercial, and Banking team with the return of Andy Harris.
Andy was a Partner at Howes Percival until 2008 when he left to head-up Dentons’ Milton Keynes’ Corporate Commercial practice. He is one of the most recognised and experienced corporate lawyers in the region.
Andy is noted as a leading corporate and commercial expert by both Chambers and Legal 500 – the legal directories. With over 30 years’ experience as a transactional and advisory corporate, commercial lawyer, Andy has extensive experience in M&A work, private equity, funding work, and reorganisations. He has specific expertise in the automotive and manufacturing sectors and is experienced in advising on cross-border and international transactions. His client portfolio includes prestigious owner-managed businesses and well-known UK-based companies.
Andy’s recruitment is an important part of Howes Percival’s national Corporate, Commercial and Banking growth strategy. The team has grown significantly in the last two years, following a restructure and a series of eye-catching hires. The restructure created three dedicated service lines to enable the firm to offer a more specialist service to clients. It was also a key part of Howes Percival’s strategic aim to be the go-to law firm for each of the key markets it operates in.
Partner and Head of Corporate, Commercial and Banking at Howes Percival, Daniel Banton, commented, “We are really excited to welcome Andy back to the firm. He brings with him fantastic experience in working with businesses of all sizes and will be an excellent addition to our growing Corporate, Commercial and Banking team. Andy has advised some big names across a number of sectors and we’re keen to consolidate that knowledge with our own, particularly in the automotive retail, services and manufacturing sectors, where we know Andy has a strong track record.
“Over the last few years, we’ve invested heavily in our team across all of our offices and that strategy is paying dividends, even in these unprecedented times. We had a very strong pipeline of deals before the lock down measures were introduced and whilst some transactions have temporarily paused, it is clear that certain transactions in particular sectors are continuing to progress. Fortunately, our teams are able to work remotely with minimal disruption.”
Simon deMaid, who heads-up Howes Percival’s Milton Keynes office said, “I am delighted to welcome Andy back to the firm and we can’t wait to start working with him again. His appointment is testament to the vibrant business community we have in Milton Keynes and acknowledges the number of transactions that are taking place in and around the city, even during these uncertain times. As a firm, we are committed to the MK market and building our client base and relationships in the area. We recognise the huge potential for growth across our Corporate, Commercial and Banking practice and Andy’s appointment, following banking partner, Ian Ilersic’s appointment earlier this year, is key to supporting our growth plans.”
Commenting on his appointment, Andy Harris said, “I’m proud to be part of the Howes Percival family, again and excited to be back helping to further expand the firm’s well-respected Corporate, Commercial and Banking practice. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Dentons, but my most rewarding client experiences over the 30-plus years I’ve been practicing, have been with entrepreneurial, owner-managed businesses, and I decided I wanted to make this my focus. Having come to this conclusion, moving back to Howes Percival was the obvious thing to do.
“A lot has changed in the time I’ve been away, but the firm’s core values and unique culture are as strong as ever. Howes Percival has always had a fantastic reputation for the quality of its work and continues to epitomise the ethos of ‘City quality legal advice, at competitive regional rates.’
“So many of the people I work alongside have been here for years and are equally committed to the area, understanding their clients’ businesses and, in these unique and challenging times, providing support so that we can all come out the other side stronger.”
Howes Percival was recommended for 20 different practice areas in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500 which recognised its Milton Keynes office for a number of services including corporate and commercial, commercial property, employment, intellectual property and media and entertainment.
For more information on Howes Percival’s Corporate team: www.howespercival.com/services/corporate/.
