HR Coffee Break Briefing: An Overview of The Tribunal Process
In his latest Coffee Break Briefing, Chris gives an overview of the tribunal process as a whole.
Karen Edwards
Partner & Head of Corporate & Commercial
Karen heads up the Corporate & Commercial team and was made a Partner of the firm in January 2022. She specialises in all aspects of non-contentious company transactions including mergers, acquisitions and sales. She can also assist with internal company reorganisations from share exchanges or share buybacks, to capital reduction demergers.
Karen has been individually recommended as a 'next generation Partner' in the 2023 and 2024 Legal 500, an independent guide to law firms, with a mention for her 'excellent', 'invaluable' advice. She was previously listed as a 'rising star' in her field in 2021 and 2022.
Work
Karen completed her training contract at Frettens and qualified as a solicitor in January 2011 within the Corporate & Commercial team. As part of her journey to becoming a solicitor Karen completed an LLB law degree at the University of Surrey and the Legal Practice Course at the London College of Law.
In 2018, the firm opened a new office in Ringwood, expanding its corporate reach into the New Forest. Having previously been based in Christchurch, Karen moved over to Ringwood to lead the team there and Frettens’ commercial presence in Ringwood and beyond is now strongly recognised. This led Karen to becoming the Head of Corporate & Commercial and she now oversees both offices.
Karen has developed an expertise and reputation for dealing with sales and acquisitions within a variety of industries, including the veterinary, engineering, funeral, hospitality, estate agency and care home sectors. Karen also has a wealth of experience in a variety of commercial contracts, covering areas such as terms and conditions, franchising, shareholder, partnership and LLP arrangements, personal guarantees, facility and security related agreements and joint venture development agreements.
Karen is particularly known for providing a professional, but personal, service to her clients.
Experience
- Acting on a sale of the entire issued share capital of a veterinary company to a national consolidator, deal worth c.£12.3m.
- Working in conjunction with the firm’s specialist Social Housing team, by leading on several complex and high-value matters, including on the sale of a property development SPV, with a value of c.£6.5m, to a private funder.
- Assisting on a management buyout to allow the major shareholder to exit their hospitality company, deal worth c.£3.8m.
- Leading on a company reorganisation for a precision engineering company specialising in aerospace, water purification, nuclear, motor and power generation, deal worth c.£2.85m.
- Advising a Netherlands based company on the purchase of shares of a UK based company specialising in product design, packaging design and brand strategy, deal worth c.£1.4m.
- Leading on the sale of the business and assets of an exclusive patisserie, with associated sale of freehold premises, deal worth c.£1.1m.
- Acting on the purchase of the entire issued share capital of a well-established estate agency company, to be operated under franchise, deal worth £725k.
- Acting for a sole shareholder in the sale of a funeral company to a national consolidator, deal worth c.£635k
- Providing ongoing advice to a private medical college, advising on various commercial contracts and the acquisition of other colleges within the sector.
Play
Karen is usually busy raising her young (energetic!) children and loves spending time with family and friends. She enjoys kayaking on the river, climbing mountains, running and generally being outdoors.
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Julien Labruyere, SleekWant to express my sincere gratitude for the great work you and the team have provided, at the expense of your holidays. We will look forward to reconnecting with you on our future needs across the Board.
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Vivienne Gray - Corporate ClientWe used Karen to facilitate the selling of some of our company shares. As it was unknown territory for us, Karen made the process very straightforward. She explained every step in a very clear, easy to understand language. She totally understood what we were trying to achieve and kept us informed at all times. I would certainly use Karen in the future if the situation arises.
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James Hadley-Clift, Winkworth Estate AgentsKaren has been fantastic and someone I will return to repeatedly as my business grows. She has managed to give not only a high level of advice, customer service and professionalism which you would expect from anyone at Frettens but delivered it in a friendly and relevant way…human you could say.
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Chas Speed, Accolade Building Services LtdMy dealings with Karen Edwards on my recent business sale were exemplary. Karen acted with complete integrity and professionalism throughout the whole process from our very first communication through to completion. Karen gave me all the understanding, guidance and support I needed from start to finish to help me through what was initially a very difficult and daunting prospect for me after being with the company for some 30 years and having owned it for the last 13 years. I wouldn’t hesitate to instruct Karen again.
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TECHNEDs GroupAs a fast moving tech investment business, responsiveness and speed of execution are absolutely paramount to our success. Finding a legal partner with the same culture was extremely important. Frettens have acted for the TECHNEDs group in relation to investments in several tech businesses and have also recently dealt with our group internal reorganisation. Karen was quick to understand the situation and offered clear, proactive advice throughout these transactions, most of which have been completed within tight timescales. It is always reassuring to have a trusted solicitor who understands what makes us tick.
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Derek Timoney, Medicare Systems LtdMy wife and I used Karen to deal with the sale of my company shares. What we thought might be a long and arduous process was handled quickly and very smoothly with the utmost attention given to the best interests of my family. I recommend Karen with the confidence of someone who first hand has witnessed her thorough and professional attention.
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Matt Rees, England & CoKaren has recently helped draw up a business purchase agreement for a practice my firm was acquiring. She was professional, easy to talk to and gave clear expert advice throughout. Deadlines were always kept and Karen made this aspect of the purchase as straightforward as it could be. I would use Karen again and highly recommend her.
