Chadwick Lawrence Advise on Sale of The Kerfoot Group

‘We may not be the biggest but we can punch way above our weight’. So says solicitor Steven Bonfield Head of the Corporate and Contracts Division of relative newcomers to Leeds, Chadwick Lawrence LLP.

Steven led the legal team which represented the nine shareholders of The Kerfoot Group Limited who last week completed their sale of the £73M turnover family owned business to Saipol a subsidiary of international edible oils giant, Avril of France.

According to Mr Bonfield, the Kerfoot deal was the largest of several large transactions which he and the members of his team have completed so far this calendar year which collectively have had a consideration value in excess of £100,000,000.00.

The Kerfoot Group Limited selected Chadwick Lawrence LLP from a shortlist of legal advisors which included at least one international name and several other much larger regionally based firms.

‘I was absolutely delighted when then Company Chairman, David Kerfoot MBE, told me that we had been chosen. We strive to ensure that we can always give our clients a hands–on, partner led service, something which I believe, impressed Mr Kerfoot and influenced his decision’, said Mr Bonfield.

‘We may be relative newcomers to the Leeds but we’ve been around for a long time in the West Yorkshire region and are now making our impact in the City Centre.’

In addition to an impressive and growing list of SME’s Chadwick Lawrence LLP have also attracted high profile clients like Leeds United Football Club Limited and the Leeds Rhinos.

‘Ultimately’, says Mr Bonfield,‘ its down to experience and the ability to deliver sound commercial advice, and a quality service. We are fortunate to have an abundance of those qualities at Chadwick Lawrence.

In addition to Chadwick Lawrence LLP, The Kerfoot Group retained Grant Thornton Corporate Finance to assist in the transaction. Avril were represented by CapitalMind Corporate Finance Advisory and in-house counsel and in the UK by Ansons Solicitors of Cannock.

Founder and former Chairman of the Kerfoot Group Ltd, Mr David Kerfoot MBE said ‘My fellow shareholders and I were delighted with the quality of the advice and assistance we received from Chadwick Lawrence. We wish to record our thanks to Steven Bonfield and his entire team whose professionalism and commitment was exemplary throughout the entire transaction.

Click here to Read the Yorkshire Post article on the acquisition.