Haddleton Legal has acquired Leeds-based IP Assist from FTSE 250 company IP Group.
The acquisition sees the firm expand its services to support spin-out and growth companies.
IP Assist provides technology and life sciences portfolio companies with secretarial and administrative services.
James Haddleton, chief executive officer of Haddleton Legal, said the acquisition will facilitate his firm’s plans for a fixed price support service for growth businesses that includes a company secretary function, finance, HR, and other back-office functions. The acquisition will also allow legal advice to be provided to those businesses as part of that service.
IP Assist will continue to provide company secretarial services to IP Group subsidiary companies.
James Haddleton said: “We are delighted to welcome the IP Assist team and introduce our legal team to growth companies. The legal team is almost entirely made up of senior former in-house lawyers, many with investment, tech and life science backgrounds, who have a deep understanding of the commercial needs of growth businesses with high value IP, both from a legal and compliance perspective.”
“The launch of a back-office support service for a set monthly fee is therefore a natural step for us, particularly as we already operate fixed fees for our legal services.”
He said the range of services already offered by IP Assist would continue with further investment planned to keep directors up to date on risk and governance topics and to improve IP and contract management.
James Haddleton added: “The emphasis will be on giving investors what they want by providing a streamlined outsourced back office function that improves the accounts process, completes a full commercial risk assessment and adds value with access to everyday legal and compliance services as well as expert counsel for more specialist matters when required.”
Katie Parratt
In a boost to the firm’s expanding legal and compliance work with businesses across the UK, Haddleton Legal recently promoted data specialist Katie Parratt to the role of business intelligence manager.
James Haddleton said Parratt’s background in medical informatics has already added value to the firm’s pharmaceutical team, which works with fast growth life sciences businesses and startups.
He said: “Katie’s new role will see her making the most of her skills and using data to help clients improve knowledge and processes within their business, whatever their sector.”
Cheryl Bridges joined the client services team at Haddleton Legal in October last year. She is playing a crucial role in the firm’s internal and external communications strategy, and supporting its team of lawyers.
