03333 231 580
Contact us
Helen Mead
Partner
Corporate
Helen specialises in share and asset acquisitions and disposals, mergers, corporate structures / restructuring, joint ventures, investments, private equity and management buy-ins and buy-outs and is a highly skilled adviser in respect of corporate structures and transactions.
Helen has been involved in transactions in a variety of industry sectors including architecture, travel, aviation, retail, insurance and IT / technology; her expertise supports entrepreneurs and owner managers, corporate businesses and those looking to invest in or start a new business. She is very well known and highly regarded within the corporate finance community in the South East in particular. Her interest and experience in the travel sector has resulted in a number of presentations at ABTA training events.
Helen works primarily in our Guildford office but also collaborates closely with colleagues in our other locations.
Work highlights
ACQUISITION
Advising international healthcare agency, Makara Health, on its acquisition by US based Precision Value & Health.
MERGER
Advising Weston Williamson + Partners – a leading UK architecture and urban design practice – in its move to join Egis.
SALE
Advising the shareholders of Bolney Wine Estate on the sale of its English Winery to leading sparkling wine supplier, Henkell Freixenet.
MERGER
Advising the shareholders of Atelier Ten, an award-winning environmental design consultancy as it joined the Surbana Jurong Group.
INVESTMENT
Advising British bicycle manufacturer, Whyte Bikes, on significant private equity investment.
SHARE SALE
Advising on sale of shares of family-owned leisure adventure provider, In2action.
MBO
Advising the management team of the secondary MBO of Viande Group, the largest independent wholesale butcher and poulterer in the South East.
SALE
Acting on the sale of a business performance improvement (via cognitive and emotional activities) company.
MBO
Acting for the management team on a partial MBO of a design, graphics and 3D production business
SALE
Acting on the sale of a cyber security, testing, consultancy and training business.
MERGER
Advising the shareholders of Chandlers Building Supplies on their merger with Parkers creating a builders merchant with combined revenues of £180 million and over 750 employees.
ACQUISITION
Acting for Global Risk Partners on their acquisition of the Birrell Group (the group comprises Kingsway Insurance Services and Bausor Hall Associates) and on a number of other acquisitions.
Services
Sectors
Recent videos
CORPORATE LAW
The reality of share options at the time of an exit
Many option schemes are set up on an exit only basis, which means that employees can only exercise their option on a total sale of the company.
Recent videos
CORPORATE LAW
Share option schemes and business sales - why consider a share option scheme?
Share option schemes often feature when we are working with clients selling their business. This is because there any many advantages to having them. We explain the reasons why it is good to consider implementing a share option scheme in your business.
Recent videos
CORPORATE
What is a share option scheme?
Most of the Corporate team’s work involves buying and selling businesses; the ultimate exit event for founders who have set up and successfully run their businesses. Whether that sale is to a competitor, investor or private equity firm, a share option scheme often has a part to play in that process. We explain what a share option is and how they work.
Recent videos
Women in Law
Recent articles
Insights
These days, a risk free M&A deal may be possible, as warranty and indemnity insurance (W&I) is now available for deals of all sizes.
13/05/2026
Insights
Share buybacks remain a popular route to implement a shareholder exit or distribute surplus cash. However, when done incorrectly, they can cause issues, especially during an M&A setting.
11/08/2025
Videos
Many option schemes are set up on an exit only basis, meaning employees can only exercise their option on a total sale of the company. A share option scheme has a part to play in the sale process and, often, some of the practicalities are not understood or explained when a scheme is put in place.
29/04/2025
Videos
We explain the reasons why it is a good idea to consider implementing a share option scheme in your business, and the advantages of having them when you come to sell.
24/04/2025