Overview

For public and private sector organisations alike, business transformation is inevitable to meet market demands, policy changes and to stay competitive. Coupled with the need to meet financial pressures and make efficiencies, effective and impactful business transformation services are therefore essential, whether in the form of alternative service provision, collaborative working or changes in corporate structure and governance.

Our specialist business transformation lawyers have a long and successful track record of acting for public and private sector clients on all forms of restructuring transactions. Their insight of the key political and commercial elements involved gives us a real edge. As a result, our advice is shaped by a deep understanding of the drivers and constraints faced by our clients, whether preparing for a complex procurement, responding as a bidder or restructuring an existing arrangement.

As you would expect, given the range of options available to bodies looking to transform their services or business, we draw on a range of commercial services from across the firm to apply the very latest thinking in areas such as corporate, commercial, pensions, procurement intellectual property and tax.

Areas of focus

Our expertise in business transformation includes the following:

  • Strategic partnerships.
  • Joint ventures (including public/private joint ventures).
  • Public sector owned companies (including 'Teckal' companies).
  • Outsourcing.
  • Restructuring transactions.
  • Alternative service provision.
  • Collaborative working.
  • Corporate structure and governance.
  • Procurement.
Experience

Advising the Department for Education on the setting up of corporate vehicles to deliver children’s services on behalf of failing councils. Following the Secretary of State for Education exercising her powers of intervention under the Education Act 1996, she can direct failing councils to outsource their children’s social care services to newly formed independent entities.

Advising South Gloucestershire Council on the transfer of its education support trading division into a Newco that is wholly-owned by the Council. We advised on the options appraisal, due diligence exercise and incorporation of the Newco. Our support included advising on all relevant project issues, such as the transfer of staff (TUPE and pensions), public procurement regulations, VAT, corporate governance, commercial contracts, and third party supplier due diligence including novation arrangements and other relevant supply arrangements.

Acting for Ministry of Defence in relation to the F-35 (fast jets) maintenance repair overhaul and upgrade support programme, and more particularly in relation to the setting up of a public/private joint venture company involving MOD and private sector OEMs.

Advising Babcock International Group plc on a major public sector transformation project for the delivery of education services to more than 360 schools in partnership with Devon County Council.

Advising Avon and Somerset Police Authority, Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council on the major collaborative procurement of a private sector partner for the outsourcing of back and middle office services under an innovative shared services partnering structure.

Advising the Home Office on its “lean” procurement of a replacement service to support the Independent Safeguarding Authority and Criminal Records Bureau for Disclosure and Barring Services.

Advising London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority on the restructuring of their maintenance, equipment and facilities PFI in the light of the threatened insolvency of one of its main PFI partners and supplier of essential equipment.

Advising the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on its ground-breaking shared services project to transform FM services in the UK and 13 jurisdictions in North West Europe with a robust outsourcing structure.

Advising the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on its competitive dialogue for the outsourcing, management and ultimate decommissioning of the nuclear site at Dounreay under a 20 year contract.

Advising Reliance Security Group on its participation in various major Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Scottish government competitive dialogue competitions for a range of long-term outsourced secure services.

Meet the team
Matthew Ramus

Matthew Ramus Partner

  • Head of Education
  • Defence
  • Transport
Keith Beattie

Keith Beattie Partner

  • Projects
  • Aviation
  • Defence
Philip Beer

Philip Beer Partner

  • Real Estate
  • Transport
  • Energy and Utilities
Nick Churchward

Nick Churchward Partner

  • Head of Resource and Waste Management
  • Projects
  • Energy and Utilities
Nick Graves

Nick Graves Partner

  • Head of Corporate
  • Corporate Advice
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
Michael Hayles

Michael Hayles Partner

  • Pensions
  • Public Sector Pension Schemes
  • Financial Services
John Houlden

John Houlden Partner

  • Head of Public Sector
  • Head of Procurement and Subsidy Control
  • Projects
Headshot of Adrian Martin

Adrian Martin Partner

  • Head of Employment
  • TUPE: Business Transfers and Outsourcing
  • Restructuring and Redundancy
Mark Paterson

Mark Paterson Partner

  • Defence
  • Business Transformation
  • Central Government

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