Sophie Protheroe
Solicitor, Corporate
Sophie is a Corporate solicitor, specialising in employee ownership trusts (EOTs), and employee incentive schemes. Sophie’s work includes advising on and drafting the documents necessary to facilitate EOT sales. In addition to this, providing advice to companies looking to implement incentive schemes and preparing legal documents to implement incentive schemes.
In Sophie’s spare time, she enjoys baking, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.
Experience
- £5.6m sale of a Hampshire-based IT service provider to an EOT following a complex de-merger of its subsidiaries.
- £27m sale of a London-based professional serviced office provider to an EOT.
- Sale of a large construction group with multiple group entities to an EOT.
- Implementation of an exit-only EMI scheme in an electrical installation management company.
- Implementation of an exit-only EMI scheme in a company specialising in cyber security.
- Implementation an exit-only EMI scheme and a time and performance EMI scheme in a company providing computer networking services.
- £9.8m minority acquisition of an education technology provider.
- Advising The Key Group, an educational support services group providing services to over 20,000 schools throughout the UK, on the acquisition of October Resolutions Ltd, a UK software company providing the ‘TimeTabler’ software, to expand the group’s offering to schools throughout the UK.
- £5m sale of an agronomy services and customer support provider, and the acquisition of certain company assets.
Having come to the decison to sell my family business which had been operating for over 70 years I was in need of professional help and reassurance along the way. Chris and Sophie led me step by step through the process, advising me and fighting my corner over warranties and indemnities. I can honestly say that I could not have managed or coped without thier help and I have been very satisified with the outcome. I would not hesitate to recommend their services.
Paul Elding, Sky
The team at Herrington-Carmichael provide expert support which is calming when the pressure is on and always based on human connection. Most impressive is their ability to be responsive so that deals stay on track and schedule.
Stuart Crainer, co-founder Thinkers50.
HC have been excellent and tireless in their efforts to complete the acquisition. The team were always available and always prepared to find mutually acceptable ways of moving past any challenges when they arose. We value their counsel and support.
Chris Kenyon, Group CEO
Yavan and Sophie made our sale to an EOT straightforward and effortless. From the start, they understood our needs and goals, explaining the process and answering all our questions. Their expertise in EOT transitions helped us make the right decisions for our company's future. We highly recommend the Herrington Carmichael team to any business considering such a transition. Their professionalism, expertise, and client care were invaluable.
Mike Hawkins, founder of Hawkins Group of Companies
We are grateful to Yavan, Sophie and the team for their work on transitioning our company to an EOT. They navigated the intricate process of the transition with care and precision, giving all those involved clear understanding and peace of mind throughout the process. Their proactive approach and attention to detail were evident throughout and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the team to anyone considering an EOT transition.
Ian Crofts, trustee of Hawkins Employee Ownership Trust
Ian Crofts, trustee of Hawkins Employee Ownership Trust
HC acted for us in a corporate reorganisation, the sale of shares to an EOT and implementing an EMI for key individuals. The matter was complex and required patience and clear solutions to a number of issues to achieve the goals. Yavan and Sophie provided detailed advice on statutory requirements, a clear explanation of legal terminology, and worked efficiently to allow us to implement the EMI within the necessary timeframe. Great support from Yavan and team.
Steve Wignall, Options Energy
John and I are delighted to have been supported by Yavan & Sophie as we embarked on selling our Company to an EOT. From initial introduction 14 months ago, to achieving completion 2 days ago, Yavan & Sophie have been with us every step of the way. Their knowledge is vast and their ability to steadily walk us through the entire process, as simply as possible, was remarkable. The completion of this process required a number of additional inputs from other experts, all of which, they were able to provide, which just helped with the seamless approach and high level of communication throughout. We just hope they are happy that we were able to keep up with them too! Prior to meeting Yavan & Sophie, we had no knowledge of what an EOT was so to think that within 14 months, we have not only understood the benefits of such a consideration, but have reached the finish line and can sit back and proudly watch the continued success of our business in its new form, is incredible. So thank you. for everything.
- Sharron Nicholls
Best Law Firms 2024
Herrington Carmichael has once again been named in the Times Best Law Firms. We were first listed in 2023 and have once again made the Best Law Firms list for 2024.
