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Richard has been at Ward Hadaway for over 20 years, the last 12 of which as a partner.

He has extensive experience in advising on the full range of corporate transactions, but with a particular specialism of advising growing business on funding matters (from very early stage investments right through to flotations) and advising fund managers on investment transactions, including advising on fund structures and associated documentation.

Experience

Richard leads on the firm’s advice to listed companies and those seeking a listing, having handled a significant number of flotations and secondary issues, as well as advising on public company transactions. Richard regularly advises listed company directors on corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters. In the last year, Richard was appointed company secretary of ScS Group Plc, the fully listed furniture and flooring retailer.

The nature of the clients which Richard advises means that he is very practised in advising businesses involved in most sectors, but due to the funding advice he provides he regularly advises clients which are making use of innovative technology or processes.

 

What people say

  • Imogen Holland and her colleagues Richard Butts and Clare French are permanently available to our queries. Often working into the twilight hours to ensure that we as their client are satisfied and on track. Their approach is aligned with ours and the relationships that have formed over the years ensure that an in-depth understanding of our requirements are considered at every juncture.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • The team is excellent technically, very approachable and comes up with commercial solutions. They take a pragmatic approach in order to get a deal done. In particular, Imogen Holland and Richard Butts are exceptional examples of this.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • He is on the ball, knows our business very well, and it's a very positive experience to work with him.

    Client quote
  • The “very effective and communicative” Richard Butts has in-depth experience of capital markets transactions.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • He is praised by sources because he is 'extremely responsive and turns things around very quickly. He is unflappable and remains calm and professional'.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • He's very knowledgeable and detail-oriented, and always at the end of the telephone to offer advice when we need it.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • Richard Butts is often called upon to advise public companies. Commentators appreciate that he possesses 'a rare combination of intense attention to detail, deep legal experience and an engaging character'.

    Chambers & Partners
  • Richard led a moderately complex private investment round that required a number of legal instruments, short timeframes, multi-tranche investment delivery and international investors. His experience, diligence and competence were clear to see; but I was particularly pleased with the pragmatic and commercial approach he took to the various issues along the way. As a former lawyer, it is fair to say that I have a particularly high expectation of the quality of legal services. At all stages of this process I have been suitably impressed and feel confident that our company commercial matters are in safe hands with Richard and his team. As a direct result of Richard’s excellent handling of this matter we have issued instructions on a range of additional matters and look forward to continuing to work closely with your Newcastle team across all of the companies in which I hold an interest.

    Stephen Purvis, Chief Executive Officer, Onboard Pro Ltd
  • As ever, the team [at Ward Hadaway that worked on Project Tiger] provided a first class service throughout and Richard, in particular, was an invaluable member of our deal team. There were a number of instances during this process which presented significant challenges that might well have derailed the deal. In each instance Richard helped us to steer a clear path through the numerous obstacles with very practical legal counsel and skilful negotiation

    Mark Parry, Head Of Legal And Compliance, Sage UK Limited