Law firm advises on MBO of insolvency and restructuring firm Bridgewood backed by DSW Capital

Browne Jacobson’s corporate lawyers have advised the management team of specialist insolvency and restructuring business, Bridgewood on the management buy-out of the business backed by DSW Capital, owners of the Dow Schofield Watts professional services network.

The transaction will see Bridgewood become the first Midlands-based business to become part of the Dow Schofield Watts network. Bridgewood founder and Managing Director, Robin Tarling will have more autonomy in the future growth strategy of the business, whilst licensed insolvency practitioners Andrew Smith and Tom Grummitt will take a significant stake in the business.

Bridgewood was set up in 2010 and is located in Nottingham’s financial district. The business advises a national client base, made up of over 300 businesses on various insolvency matters including administration, voluntary arrangements, solvent liquidation, advisory solutions and company liquidation.

Dow Schofield Watts is an award-winning professional services ‘challenger’ with over 100 professionals across its ten-office network supporting clients including corporates, SMEs and private equity firms. It operates a licensing model which allows professionals to build their own business under the Dow Schofield Watts brand.

The Browne Jacobson deal team was led by Manchester based corporate partner Ryan Brown with support from senior associate, Rob Northall. Senior associate, Melanie Hilton advised on the banking elements of the transaction and associate Joe Babos advised on the employment side.

Ryan Brown commented: “We are pleased to have supported Robin, Andrew and Tom with this transaction and the transition over to the Dow Schofield Watts network. It is clear that the strength of the Bridgewood business, brand and offering and the ambitious growth plan the team has mean they are a great fit for the DSW network.”

Robin Tarling added: “The buy-out is an ideal scenario for all concerned. It enables Andrew and Tom, who are key members of the leadership team, to take a stake in the business and gives us the autonomy to pursue our growth plans going forward, while providing a return for our seed investors. 

“Being part of the Dow Schofield Watt network will also give us access to a strong support team and bring opportunities to expand our services, including into other types of advisory work and commercial financial broking.

“I would also like to thank the Browne Jacobson team for their support. The service they provided was quality, they understood our objectives and worked with us and the other side to achieve them – they have a real knack of getting to the heart of an issue and finding a way of navigating around it in a composed and professional matter.”