Weightmans bolsters Leeds corporate team with new owner-managed business lead

National law firm Weightmans has expanded its Leeds-based corporate team with the appointment of Marc Allison to head up its owner-managed business activity.

Marc has been a corporate partner at Weightmans for the last two years, having been part of the corporate team at Watson Burton, which was acquired by Weightmans in October 2019. Marc’s move to the Leeds office brings fresh experience of corporate and commercial work with owner-managed businesses across the region, from M&A activity to complex cross border commercial agreements. He has a particular specialism in property-related matters, joint ventures and franchising.

He joins an existing owner-managed business team made up of three partners and associates, supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors across the Yorkshire region.

Most recently, Weightmans advised Rotherham-based Bluetree Group, one of the UK’s fastest growing companies, on its acquisition of Kingsbury Press.

Marc commented: “Leeds is a vibrant and flourishing city, reflective of the wider dynamism on display across the whole of Yorkshire. A well-established owner-managed business community underpins the region’s outstanding reputation in the technology, innovation, financial and professional services sectors. More traditional sectors like manufacturing are also thriving. With so much variety, it’s a genuinely exciting part of the country to be serving and a great time for us to grow and expand our owner-managed business offering.”

Formerly based in the firm’s Newcastle office, Marc will retain links with some key clients in the North East and Teesside.

Paul Raftery, partner and national owner-managed business lead at Weightmans, commented: “After the last 18 months, and restrictions finally easing, we’re seeing many owner-managed businesses moving out of neutral gear and setting their sights back on growth and plans for the future. Bringing Marc on board in Leeds is part of our bigger plan to grow our team to reflect the increased demand for our services from ambitious firms across Yorkshire’s urban centres and beyond.”