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Julie Hughes

Partner

Corporate
[email protected]
+44 (0)1892 506 179 / +44 (0)7702 556 778

As head of our corporate transactional team, I provide practical support as well as expert legal advice to businesses on all types of corporate transactions, working with  owner managed businesses and entrepreneurs across many industry sectors.

I have in-depth knowledge and experience in the early years and education sectors and regularly act for buyers and owner/sellers of nurseries and independent schools.

As a fluent French speaker, I handle many Anglo-French matters advising French corporates on investments, finance work and M&A transactions in the UK.

I am ranked lawyer in the leading legal directory, Chambers UK 2024, for Corporate M&A in The South as well as a named next generation partner in Legal 500 UK Directory, 2023 for the practice areas of Corporate & Commercial and Banking & Finance for the South East.

In my spare time I am a trustee on the governing board of a local charity offering subsidised childcare places to families in need.

Areas of expertise:

Qualifications and memberships

  • Admitted as a solicitor in September 2004
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My experience

Advised French corporate ADDEV Materials, which employs 500 people and has a €110m turnover, on its strategic purchase of Graytone Limited.

Led the team supporting John Lyon School on the acquisition of Quainton Hall which became part of John Lyon to form a unified school for 800+ children.

Regularly advising on nursery sales including the sale of Footsteps Day Nurseries Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries to Family First Nursery Group.

Acted for the UK’s leading winemaker Chapel Down on its new finance facility with PNC Business Credit to support the next phase of the company’s evolution.

Acting for a number of purchasers of nursery businesses in the UK, including Alpesh and Sangeeta Patel on their two recent nursery acquisitions.

Acted for the sellers of local Kent software development company KB Tech Limited on its disposal to European Energy Exchange AG, a leading energy exchange.

How we made a difference

Julie Hughes has been a massive support in deals in the Childcare and Education space, a nothing-is-too-much-trouble attitude is why she and her team are so successful.

No-nonsense advice. Unlike some firms who merely give the pros and cons and leave the client to make a legally complex decision, they will offer their advice and opinion on the best course of action. In the past we have worked closely with Julie Hughes, Katie Haylock and Meg Harold, who have all provided excellent, timely advice and have managed to explain legally complex transactions to clients in a way that they understand and trust.

We are grateful to Cripps for their support and guidance throughout our recent merger with another charity. This was a complex process involving a challenging property dispute, a time-critical property transaction, and a range of legal considerations surrounding charity and company law. From the outset, Cripps demonstrated a deep understanding of the unique needs of charities and provided us with clear, expert advice at every stage. Their team was highly responsive, meticulous, and took the time to explain complex legal matters in a way we could understand. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, we were able to navigate these legal challenges smoothly and successfully complete the merger. We recommend Cripps to any charity seeking professional, reliable, and effective legal assistance. They helped make our vision a reality.

Charity client

I was delighted with the support of Julie Hughes and her team at Cripps who, due to their experience and expertise, made the often emotional and time-consuming process of a business sale a more manageable and less stressful experience.

Gavin Harvey

Founder and Managing Director of Footsteps Day Nurseries

Julie Hughes provides practical advice and a very diligent work-ethic to get deals done in the timelines set out and focus on the key issues.

Julie understands people which is invaluable to this role. That combined with her professionalism and knowledge make her a reliable and consistent lawyer.

Legal 500 2024

Julie Hughes has the perfect balance of knowledge, expertise and empathy which makes them so successful in what they do.

Legal 500 2024

Julie has the perfect balance of support and direction which enables the deals to progress smoothly.

Legal 500 2024

Julie Hughes and her team are unique in what they do.

Legal 500 2024

"Julie is efficient, proactive and excellent at what she does."

Chambers UK Guide 2024

My thinking

14 Jul 2023

Cripps has advised on the sale of Yateley Manor School to the Inspired Learning Group
16 Mar 2023

What does the recent budget announcement mean for childcare providers?
6 Mar 2023

Cripps advise on the sale of Lilliput Children's Centre to Bright Stars Nursery Group

Awards

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