Vertex Law

Vertex Law’s large Corporate team, headed by Stuart Butler-Gallie and assisted by Sarah Whibley, acted on the joint venture arrangement between Brakes, the leading UK supplier to the foodservice sector, and the well respected O’Kane Food Service Limited business based in Lisburn Northern Ireland.
  

The joint venture further cements the relationship that has existed between Brakes and O’Kane Food Service for over 10 years. The new partnership will ensure future growth and help to secure new business within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This partnership has already resulted in new jobs, and new local distribution sites in Galway, Cork and Dublin. The O’Kane Food Service brand will be retained and customers will continue to receive the same high level of local service and quality products. 
 

This is Vertex Law’s first acquisition for Brakes and the team secured the input of highly regarded Dublin firm, A&L Goodbody through its Belfast office property partner Patricia Johnston and employment law associate, Gareth Walls.
 

Stuart Butler-Gallie of Vertex Law said, “We are delighted to have been able to deliver this intricate deal for Brakes, that has involved detailed coordination and project management of corporate, property, employment and commercial matters in the separate, but related, jurisdiction of Northern Ireland. This represents a significant step forward in our existing relationship with Brakes, which has focused to date on general commercial advice."
 

Adrian Whitehead, Group Legal Director of Brakes said, “it was a real pleasure to work with such a dedicated team. Vertex invariably anticipated the issues before they arose and performed a thoroughly efficient project management function, keeping the Brakes acquisition team informed at all stages."