Expertise
Barry is a Legal Director within the Restructuring team. He specialises in transactional insolvency and is accomplished in corporate restructurings, refinancing, distressed business and distressed debt sales. Barry is noted for knowledge relating to creditors' committees, the application of liens over assets and issues relating to retail, transport, logistics and football club insolvency.
An armed forces background including wartime service underpins a pragmatic and practical approach to problem-solving. Barry identifies key points, breaks down complex technical issues and delivers effective, workable solutions.
- Experience
- Advising the administrators of Homebase on the pre-packaged sale of its business and assets to the owner of 'The Range' and 'Wilko' brands, safeguarding approximately 1,600 jobs.
- Secured urgent short-term funding for a UK fashion brand to help sustain the business through the critical Christmas trading period.
- Advised syndicated lenders on the renegotiation of facilities and security over a landmark UK shopping centre, following a prolonged default by a Jersey Property Unit Trust; provided contingency planning for enforcement and oversaw the subsequent asset sale.
- Acting for viral content outlet LadBible on the acquisition of its former rival UniLad from administrators – the deal brought together the two most-read English language publishers on Facebook.
- Acting for the administrators of the Communisis Group in the sale of its businesses, including a global marketing services provider and a customer communications business managing over 100 million annual communications for major financial institutions, protecting 581 jobs.
- Transaction lead on the sale by administrators of a brewery and its trading subsidiaries, including retailers and public houses; involved regulatory approval under the Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme and court proceedings to displace objections from a security-holder.
- Advising JD Sports Fashion on the acquisition of Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green boutique clothing brand, including the online and wholesale business, as well as a flagship store in Manchester.
- Acting for a footwear chain on its successful challenge of a warehouse-keeper's purported lien over stock. Similarly, acted for the board of an outdoor clothing retailer negotiating the release of stock from a storage provider asserting a lien.
- Professional Memberships
- R3 (Committee member – North West New Professionals Division)
- Testimonials
"Barry demonstrated a high degree of technical knowledge and his guidance was always clear and to the point. He was sensitive to the timescale and commercial considerations of the deal, and his careful oversight of each stage ensured everything was completed on schedule. I would certainly recommend Barry for any similar projects, and would welcome an opportunity to work with him again."
Client Testimonial, Clearing Bank
