Scale is important;

it means we can always

draw on the right

specialist advice.

In-depth legal team covers all bases on college merger

Mergers involving any type of business can often prove complex so it is vital that the parties involved have the legal provision to handle all aspects of the deal.

This was certainly the case with the merger of Cambridge-based institution National Extension College (NEC) with training and consulting specialist LSN in July 2010.

The NEC, which is based in Purbeck Road, Cambridge, offers more than 150 home study courses. The merger sees it join forces with LSN (previously the Learning and Skills Network), which is dedicated to helping local authorities, schools and higher education colleges achieve best practice.

Partner Helen Drayton and solicitor Laurence Evans from Hewitson' Cambridge corporate team, were joined by charity head Chris Knight, commercial property solicitor Anne Sales, employment solicitor Katharine Holliday, and pensions solicitor Anita North in order to give a truly comprehensive service to the charity.

Although the deal was between two educational charities and was collaborative throughout, it was no less complex than many commercial sector transactions, involving premises, funding and security, intellectual property, employment and pensions, IT, and many contract issues, to say nothing of the charity specific aspects both parties had to consider.

Nevertheless, the merger was completed to the satisfaction of both parties, on time and within the agreed budget.

This work follows a similar success last year when Hewitsons completed the acquisition of well-known agricultural institution, Shuttleworth College, on behalf of Bedford College. The corporate team was again supported by commercial, property, educational and employment law experts.