Since qualification in 2006 Edward Garston has been advising owner-managed SME businesses across a wide diversity of business sectors on all aspects of corporate and commercial law.
Clearly enthusiastic about his practice area, his expertise spans company mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations and restructuring, secured lending arrangements, company constitutional matters, share arrangements, all the way through to shareholder agreements.
A particular specialism is advising company founders on their exit, whether by third-party sale, succession, or management buyout (MBO). He will, where possible, work in conjunction with a client’s existing advisers unless additional expertise is required for the particular project. He enjoys nothing more than guiding his clients through the entire process from inception to successful completion.
On the commercial side, Edward regularly advises on business contracts and commercial arrangements such as terms and conditions and licensing arrangements.
Edward joined Spencer West having previously practised at leading Essex law firms, most recently as a partner with Pinney Talfourd LLP.
Having graduated in Economics from the University of Manchester, Edward first embarked on a varied Investment Banking career in London. Such experience affords him a unique insight into the banking and financial sectors, which enhances the service and advice he regularly offers.
Edward is a keen networker and is often invited to share his professional expertise and experiences by speaking to industry groups and organisations.
Relevant experience:
- Completed a Company buyback of shares out of retained profits in a matter of days to achieve a tight deadline for a specialist manufacturing company
- Structured a new class of share capital for a specialist manufacturing company in accordance with tax advice to permit fund raising through new equity
- Advised the founder of a building management company on his staged exit from the business
- Structured a shareholder agreement between senior founders of an electrical component distributor and equity incentivised management
- Advised on the sale of an established accountancy practice as a going concern
- Advised on the succession of a family storage business in conjunction with a company reorganisation
- Acted for a management team on the acquisition of a final minority stake MBO in a building construction services company
- Advised on the purchase of a niche jewellery designer and distributor
- Restructured a media company to establish clear shareholder rights and decision making procedures
- Introduced a new share class for a recruitment company to incentivise selected employees
- Implemented adjustments to the equity structure of a recycling company ahead of a share buyback
