Pannone Corporate has advised on the acquisition of Sussex-based recruitment specialist Grafton Banks Finance by Stanton House.

The law firm acted as legal adviser to Stanton House, which specialises in placing senior candidates within accountancy and finance, transformation, and private equity roles. The London-based firm acquired Grafton Banks Finance for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Stanton House’s continued growth journey. Grafton’s expertise in accountancy and finance complements Stanton House’s existing capabilities, further strengthening the group’s ability to deliver high-quality outcomes across the market.

The Pannone team was led by Corporate Partner, Tom Hall, with support from Belinda Cheung and Sam Roberts.

Tom Hall commented: “This deal brings together two businesses that are culturally aligned, have deep sector expertise, together with a firm commitment in building excellent client relationships. Combined, they will strengthen their presence in the accounting and finance markets, not only in the South East, but nationwide.

“We’re delighted to have acted for the team at Stanton House in a sector that we have significant experience in, across all practice areas of the firm.”

Grafton Banks Finance, which covers roles across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, will continue to operate under the Grafton Banks Finance brand.

Commenting on the acquisition, Neil Wilson, CEO of Stanton House, commented: “When we founded Stanton House, our ambition was simple: to stand apart through the quality of the experience we deliver. This acquisition builds on that philosophy. We believe that exceptional customer experience drives outstanding performance and Grafton Banks share that belief.”

Rakesh Kirpalani, CFO at Stanton House, added: “Tom and his team delivered outstanding service, working to a demanding timeframe to ensure a timely and successful completion. Over 15 years of working with Pannone Corporate, I have consistently found their support to be agile, reliable and of the highest quality. Their flexibility, responsiveness and expert advice make them a trusted and valued partner.”

Pannone Corporate has advised on the acquisition of Wow Sleep by H.I.G Capital-backed bed and mattress company, The Sleep Group.

The Manchester law firm acted as legal adviser to The Sleep Group, which owns brands Silentnight Group and Sleepeezee. It is estimated that one in five beds sold in the UK is a Sleep Group brand. The Sleep Group acquired the Bradford-based contract bed and mattress manufacturer for an undisclosed sum.

The Pannone team was led by Corporate Partner, Tom Hall, with support from Marlie Collette, Catherine Ossai, Sam Roberts and James Wynne.

Tom Hall commented: “The Sleep Group is an ambitious business that has built an unrivalled reputation in the UK bed and mattress market through its leading brands, Silentnight and Sleepeezee.

“The acquisition of Wow Sleep is an exciting move by the group and one that adds real depth to its proposition, particularly in the contract market which is ripe with opportunity. We were delighted to have supported the group on this deal.”

Wow Sleep was founded by Darren Stega-Jones and Mark Brooman and operates from a 36,000 sq. ft. factory in Bradford – a former textile mill it acquired in 2024.

Tracey Bamber, CEO of The Sleep Group, said: “This strategic acquisition supports our long-term ambitions and strengthens our presence in the contract market, including the student accommodation and leisure sectors.

“Wow Sleep will continue to operate as a standalone business, alongside other Sleep Group brands, Silentnight and Sleepeezee.”

Rebecca Holden and Leon Cordero of Blacks Solicitors in Leeds advised the shareholders of Wow Sleep.

Pannone Corporate and Carbon Corporate Finance have advised on the cross-border sale of leading producer and supplier of premium organic superfood products, Go Superfoods Limited.

The Manchester firms acted as legal and financial advisers respectively to the shareholders of Go Superfoods, which was acquired by Swedish food-tech and FMCG listed company, Humble Group. The Pannone team was led by Tom Hall (corporate Partner), Arshnoor Amershi and Humera Patel. The Carbon team was led by partners Tom Johnson and David Kandola.

Go Superfoods, which was founded by CEO Harry Singh in 2008, offers a wide range of superfoods to retail customers and distributors under its own brands Green Origins, Rainforest Foods, and Piura.

Tom Johnson said: “We’re delighted to have advised the shareholders of Go Superfoods on this transaction. Harry and his team have built a leading superfoods business, which will flourish as part of the Humble Group.

“Achieving results such as this for Harry demonstrates Carbon’s commitment to helping business owners realise significant value through strategic sales.”

Tom Hall said: “Go Superfoods is an exciting business that’s really made its mark in the rapidly-growing organic superfoods sector – building strong brand loyalty amongst both consumers and distributors.

“With the vast potential that exists in the marketplace, combined with an ambitious and profitable business in Go Superfoods, this cross-border deal made perfect sense for Humble Group. It allows the business to enter a new niche market segment, while using its own scale and purchasing power to enhance the offering and reach of the multi-channel supplier. We’re delighted for Harry and the team and wish them every success as they embark on the next phase of their growth journey.”

Go Superfoods has established itself as a competitive superfoods supplier with a broad customer base, including specialist and nutrition retailers, distributors, food manufacturers and consumers.

Singh commented: “At Go Superfoods we’ve always strived to be a bridge connecting growers of superfoods in the developing world with European consumers looking to improve their health and wellbeing. Humble is the perfect partner for us to continue our journey with and we look forward to working with Simon Petrén and his team at Humble to accomplish our shared vision.” 

Advisors to Humble were Knight Transaction Services (UK Financial DD), Shoosmiths (UK legal) and Rämsell Advokatbyrå AB (Swedish legal).

Pannone Corporate has advised Place Capital Group on the acquisition of Fourth Street Place Consultants.

The corporate team, led by partner Tim Hamilton, advised the housing estate regeneration specialist on its first acquisition as part of an ambitious buy and build strategy.

Fourth Street Place Consultants is a specialist place making consultancy which works with public and private sector clients involved in place making and destination-led developments. As part of the transaction, Fourth Street will retain its own brand and management structure and will continue to serve existing clients, while launching a new expansion plans with the support of Place Capital Group.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tim Hamilton said: “Place Capital Group is an exciting and highly motivated business that is well placed to achieve rapid growth in a vital regeneration sector that is underpinned by a comprehensive national strategy – one that is intended to improve and accelerate estate regeneration schemes to deliver more and better quality housing, drive local growth and improve outcomes for residents.

“Fourth Street lays the perfect foundations for growth and will undoubtedly help to unlock increased market potential, as their complementary expertise are combined to fulfil a growing portfolio of partnering contracts with local authorities and housing associations.”

Place Capital Group, which was formed by David Smith-Milne and Peter Martin in early 2021, works with large public organisations such as local authorities and housing associations through Strategic Development Partnering contracts, applying its expertise and capital solutions to the regeneration of housing estates to create much needed additional affordable and mixed tenure housing.

David Smith-Milne, Place Capital Group Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Fourth Street into the Place Capital Group. The acquisition made perfect sense as the Fourth Street team is totally aligned to our vision to bring excellence and creativity to the regeneration of the UK’s forgotten housing estates.”

Dan Anderson, who formed Fourth Street alongside Jim Roberts in 2012, added: “We were immediately drawn to the Place Capital Group concept – both its commercial structure and its ambitious and transformative vision to bring much needed, imaginative place-making to housing estates across the UK. Through the deal, we retain all that is special and unique about Fourth Street but get the added benefit of being part of an ambitious, challenging and mission-led group structure that will introduce much needed new thinking to the UK’s housing problems.”

Pannone Corporate’s corporate team works with a wide range of clients, including private equity houses and businesses large and small across multiple sectors.