Katy Seago

Acting for Homebase on the acquisition of certain assets of specialist bathroom retailer, Bathstore from its Administrators in a very tight timescale. The transaction saw Bathstore concessions added to Homebase stores and secured the continued operation of 44 of Bathstore’s retail outlets.

Acting for Ernst & Young as administrators of KSR Electronics Systems Limited. Trading and funding arrangements were agreed with two European-based tier one automotive suppliers to ensure continued provision of goods and services within the “just in time” supply chain model.  The agreements reached ensured that all costs in the administration, as well as guaranteed monthly trading profit figures, were paid in advance to ensure an improved position for all creditors of the business. Acting in relation to the subsequent sale of the trading business to one of the company’s key customers.

Acting for Duff & Phelps as administrators of Calvetron Brands Limited – a leading concession based retailer of ladies clothing and accessories, re-negotiating franchise agreements with key stakeholders and dealing with the disposal of certain brands to Edinburgh Woollen Mill. The company operated out of 350+ locations (including over 60 located outside the UK and Ireland) and employed circa 1,500 employees.

Acting for Gordon Brothers on the acquisition of the global brand, archives, licence/franchise portfolio and all related intellectual property of iconic English brand Laura Ashley from its UK administrators.

Advising a US based global aerospace, defence, security and advanced technologies company with worldwide interests in relation to its role in a multi-million pound energy project relating to the world's largest tidal turbine project under development at that time. Advising in relation to the structure of the proposed transaction and security, contingency planning and risk mitigation in relation to future insolvency events within the contractual supply chain. Negotiating and agreeing a bespoke suite of documentation to deal with the protection of the client's proprietary and intellectual property rights in the technology, dealing with complex cross border and conflicts of law issues and moving the transaction forward to a successful conclusion.

Advising Ernst & Young as administrators of the Hawk Plant Hire group, one of the largest independent plant hire business in the UK. Work included funding arrangements, the multi-million pound disposal of certain businesses and assets of the group and the sale of a significant number of plant assets at auction, trading and retention of title issues and complex security and advice regarding the group’s invoice finance facilities.

Advising Deloitte as administrators of One Advice Group on the GBP30 million sale of the business and assets of three separately regulated businesses to Think Money Group.

Advising Ernst & Young in relation to the administration of the Specialist Leisure Group, including well known coach holiday brand Shearings (and group companies) which employed over 2,500 people. Work included a number of brand and intellectual property sales and a significant number of different transactions involving a portfolio of circa 45 hotels throughout England and Scotland.