Simon Morris – Head of Corporate – Raworths LLP

Background

Born in York

Educated at St Peter’s School, York and Sheffield Hallam University

Previous roles: Norton Rose, DLA Piper and Tillinghast Towers Perrin actuarial consultancy on the Lloyds London rescue package.

Joined Raworths in 2001

Legal specialisation

Simon is Harrogate’s pre-eminent corporate lawyer focusing on the SME sector with particular strength and reputation in relation to family businesses, owner-managed businesses, business angels, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals.

Simon leads a team of four comprising a 10-year PQE corporate commercial solicitor, a Brazilian-qualified lawyer who is obtaining her English conversion certificate and is currently operating as a paralegal as well as further paralegal//support. This is the largest dedicated corporate and commercial unit based and operating within the Harrogate area. Simon is also a member of the three-person executive committee (Board of Management) of the firm.

Simon advises on:

  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Shareholder and partnership agreements
  • Investment agreements and EIS structuring
  • Employee incentives and share options
  • Demergers and reorganisations
  • Succession planning
  • Management buy-ins and buy-outs

Experience

Matters Simon has advised upon include:

  • The multi-million pound MBO of a major facilities management company and subsequent debt re-structure.
  • Acting for the sellers on a £12 million plus disposal to a venture capital backed MBI team.
  • Acquisition of the entire European operation of a US manufacturing business in Chapter 11 protection.
  • De-merger and multi-million pound sale of an advertising business to a US buyer.
  • Structuring the investment for a major environmental led energy business start up
  • The conversion of a major software provider into an LLP.
  • Constitutional re-structuring of a national not-for-profit organisation.
  • Multi-million pound re-structuring of a family owned property investment business.
  • Acting for the vendors on a partial MBI of a long established printing company and subsequent re-structuring.

Clients credit Simon with being “very commercial and personable” and “an incredibly talented lawyer”. Bringing a pragmatic and commercial approach at both a strategic and implementational level to his clients’ objectives.

Chambers Directory says: … the team overall providing “extremely useful guidance in all areas”. The team’s experience in acting in the professional services sector, media and the food industry being specifically highlighted.

Raworths LLP

Address: Eton House, 89 Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1HF

Telephone: 01423 566666

Email: simon.morris@raworths.co.uk