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CHRIS BRIGHTLING TIE PROFILE

Contact Information

  • T: 01233 668 604
  • F: 01233 664 722
  • E: email me

Chris Brightling

Head of Department

Corporate, Banking & Finance; Commercial Law

Chris is a corporate partner and head of the Corporate, Banking & Finance and Commercial Law team at Girlings. He has significant experience advising on corporate acquisitions, disposals and investments as well as general corporate law matters.

Uk recommended lawyer 2023web

Chris qualified as a Solicitor in 2011 and joined Girlings in 2018 from a highly regarded regional practice where he was a corporate partner leading a team of corporate, banking and tax lawyers. He is a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer.

Chris is based in our Ashford office and regularly advises on share and business acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and joint ventures. He also advises on general corporate law matters including corporate governance issues, shareholders’ agreements and share buy backs. His clients range from owner managed businesses to large national and multi-national companies in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, retail, logistics and IT. Chris is experienced in leading project teams of lawyers drawn from different departments on corporate transactions.

Chris builds long term relationships with his clients who have commended him for his professionalism and efficiency and for tailoring his advice to meet their needs.

Chris also advises directors, lenders and insolvency practitioners on corporate insolvency, turnaround and restructuring matters, with particular experience in the sale and purchase of businesses from administration.

Examples of matters Chris has worked on include:
  • the sale of the entire issued share capital of M&P Fire Protection Ltd to Premier Technical Services Group plc
  • advising the selling shareholders of a substantial invoice financing business on a private equity backed management buy out
  • the successful sale of a significant London-based physiotherapy business to a national healthcare specialist
  • advising a UK motorsport design company on a joint venture with a large manufacturing group based in India
  • the capitalisation of loans to the value of £4.5m for the UK subsidiary of a Middle-Eastern group
  • advising the founding entrepreneurs of a confectionary supplier on the sale of their shares to a large national competitor
  • a section 110 restructuring and subsequent sale of a leading estate agency group
  • advising an investment fund on the acquisition of a substantial printing business from administration.
Meet Chris Brightling, Head of Corporate & Commercial:
Corporate, Banking & Finance Commercial Law

Expertise

Chris has particular expertise in the following areas:

Chris regularly writes legal updates and has written articles for publication in the World Sports Law Reports.

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Lesley Rushton

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Testimonials

Chris and the team were absoutely brilliant. This is the first time I have sold a business and Chris made a complicated process simple! The process was far more complicated than it should have been and Chris worked tirelessly to drive this forwards to the agreed completion date. I could not have asked for more than what he and the team delivered for me and with very reasonable fees.
Katie Aldred
Chris’s commitment and dedication to this project was above and beyond normal service, and vital to the successful outcome. We can never thank you enough.
Peter Cuffe
Thorough, detail-oriented and proactive
Legal 500
The Girlings’ team covered all the different legal areas that we needed to address and understood that we needed to continue running the business at the same time. They were professional, pragmatic and supportive during the process.
S Guerra
Chris and Chloe were great to work with and really kept me sane throughout the process. Chris was clearly and expert and had a fantastic personal manner which made even the most stressful times of selling my company feel ok. Many, many thanks to them and to Girlings.
Anonymous
The service was outstanding and I would be happy to use the firm again. I would be very happy to recommend Girlings as well!
Stephen MacLeod
Excellent service - lovely to deal with such professional and knowledgeable advisers. We felt our interests were completely and securely covered at all times - very reassuring.
Sarah Sharman-Watts
It was a great pleasure working with Chris who promptly and efficiently dealt with a review of our constitution and a number of corporate law matters for us. I would have no hesitation in calling upon his services again in the future. 
Director, Property Investment Company
The Girlings’ team managed this complex process with professionalism and perseverance. We certainly benefitted from having a long standing relationship with Girlings
R Bloomfield
Chris understood what we needed and responded with great efficiency.  He was aware of the financial constraints and explained what was needed to progress matters to the desired conclusion. Throughout the process Chris was approachable and responded promptly and courteously to questions.  The terms of engagement were clear and made us aware of the costs which helped us to keep within our budget. Chris Brightling offered a good level of service in a professional and pleasant manner and we are very happy to have engaged him.
 Director, TV Production and Distribution Company
Chris and his team were excellent, would highly recommend.
Trevor Clifton-Sprigg
I chose to appoint Chris Brightling at Girlings Solicitors, firstly because he was a specialist in corporate law, but mainly because of our initial conversation before the appointment was even made. He gave me some great advice and insights as to what I could expect throughout the process, which at first seemed so complicated and stressful, but he managed to take that weight off my shoulders. The whole process was completed super efficiently and in just a few short weeks. Thank you for all your help Chris. 
Managing Director, Branding and Marketing Agency
Recently our group of companies undertook a restructuring. Chris grasped the concept behind the reconstruction immediately and he was efficient throughout. In the initial review period Chris helped the Directors find a less costly route through the legal process. Chris displayed excellent legal knowledge of this aspect of company law and the initial work plan proved to be complete and thorough. We would use Chris and Girlings again should we need similar legal assistance or advice in the future.
 Chairman, Automotive Group
I found Chris Brightling easy to work with as well as extremely professional, efficient and commercially aware. As a result the restructuring and subsequent sale went smoothly and was far less of a challenge than we thought at first it would be. 
Matthew Hill, Managing Director of Obart Pumps
Very professional and made our lives a lot easier throughout a difficult process. Chris helped Michael and I to understand any issues surrounding the proposed contract. I highly recommend Chris Brightling and Girlings.
 M&P Fire Protection Ltd
When I first called Girlings, I really wasn't sure whether licensing or franchising was best for my business. During the initial discussion Chris and Nathan asked all the right questions to get an in depth understanding of what I do. They listened intently, commented enthusiastically and then explained all my options clearly. After the decision was made to franchise, they guided me patiently through every aspect of the process and this resulted in a highly bespoke franchise agreement. I'm pleased to say, in 10 months I now have 4 franchisees established, with 2 more about to start. 
Deborah Salsbury, The Reading Doctor
I have worked with Chris over the past two years when he has helped me with the acquisition of a number of companies and businesses that have been absorbed into Hearbase Ltd. He has been invaluable in helping us navigate our way through the acquisition process, educating us where necessary and dealing with business owners and their advisors and building a robust framework around the acquisition to ensure a painless transition. This is always managed with a good humoured and pragmatic manner. Chris and his team have a modern and refreshingly straightforward approach to complex issues and I cannot underestimate the value of having an expert like Chris on your team. I will not hesitate to involve Chris in any future Hearbase acquisition and I recommend him without reservation to any prospective client. 
Mark Scutchings, Managing Director of Hearbase Limited
The service you provided was outstanding. Always so helpful, extremely professional yet still maintained a human touch and explained the stages in a way that I could understand clearly. Thank you for making the process very easy for us, I know you did so much behind the scenes, and if ever needed, I would use your services again in a heartbeat. 
Managing Director, Business Supplies Specialist
We feel that Girlings have been the first firm to understand how we work and also explain legal terminology in plain English. Nothing is too much trouble for the individuals we have dealt with and they always respond promptly with the information we require.
Chris Brightling has always been very supportive and co-operative. On the two large transactions that he has worked with us on, he has been extremely calm and organised in getting the deal over the line and always working with a smile on his face. No question is too difficult for him to take on and he is always very accommodating. 
Girlings have been invaluable in helping us navigate our way through the company acquisition process, educating us where necessary and dealing with business owners and their advisers.
The service you provided was outstanding. Always so helpful, extremely professional yet still maintained a human touch and explained the stages in a way that I could understand clearly. Thank you for making the process very easy for us, I know you did so much behind the scenes, and if ever needed, I would use your services again in a heartbeat. 
Managing Director, Business Supplies Specialist