Paul Raftery
Partner
- Phone:
- +44 (0)161 214 0528
- Email:
- paul.raftery@weightmans.com
- Office:
- Manchester
Paul has over 25 years' experience through fluctuating economic cycles in advising businesses and their owners and directors on their corporate affairs. Paul’s clients range from technology and entrepreneurial start-ups at one extreme to established private and public companies at the other.
Paul advises sellers and buyers on disposal and acquisitions, from strategy and planning stages through to completion. Paul also advises clients on fundraising and investments, group reorganisations and restructuring.
In addition to transactional advice, Paul advises owners and directors on their duties and responsibilities and on corporate governance and compliance. Non-transactional advice also includes advice on joint venture and shareholder arrangements and other partnering relationships.
Paul regularly advises non-UK companies, listed and private, in relation to their UK subsidiaries and UK acquisition strategy and on cross border acquisitions and joint ventures.
Transactions he has acted on in the last couple of years include:
the purchase by Sonoco of Plastique Holdings Limited
the sale of Caunce O’Hara Insurance Brokers Limited to Markel Capital Holdings Limited
the purchase of Ryan Insurance Group Limited by the Seventeen Group
the purchase by Composites One Inc of Solvay SA’s European process materials group
investment in Flint Global Limited by Growth Capital Partners
sale of Isotopx Limited to Techcomp Europe Limited
sale of Buy to Let Broker Limited to Pivotal Growth limited
sale of Century Logistics Limited to Metro Supplies Group Limited
purchase by Kreiss SIA of C Neil Dowson Limited
Whilst advising clients across a wide range of sectors, Paul has particular expertise in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, packaging, transport and logistics, insurance brokers, property and construction and professional services.
A selection of directory entries confirm what clients and intermediaries say about Paul:
Paul Raftery is praised for his 'unbelievable knowledge and expertise” — Legal 500
“He has a first-class legal mind and is extremely commercially astute and yet able to explain complex matters to me easily.” — Chambers & Partners
“Paul Raftery is always available – day, night or weekends if we need him. He goes that extra mile to get the best deal done for us and again this is backed up by sensible, straightforward and easily understandable advice. He is also backed by a very competent team.” — Legal 500
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Paul Raftery is always supportive and knowledgeable.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Paul Raftery is a great lawyer with a commercial approach to transactions. He is a great guy to have on your team.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Paul Raftery is outstanding. He is extremely attentive and fully committed to understanding and supporting our needs. What truly sets Paul apart is his ability to get under the skin of our business — identifying our strengths and weaknesses — and then looking for innovative ways to help drive our group's growth. He is a standout individual who goes above and beyond.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Paul Raftery advised public and private companies on acquisitions and disposals, as well as fundraisings and restructuring. The sectors he has expertise of include manufacturing, transport, insurance, property and professional services.
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
Paul's input was key to assisting the process in continuing to move forwards, especially in the stages where key legal expertise was required. Paul is excellent. Very commercial, very easy to work with and hugely experienced at getting deals done as well. His pricing is fair and transparent. Paul is regularly used by key business owners across the North. His extensive experience and
Chambers & Partners 2026
