Aspire Systems’ Acquisition Goals & Challenges
We were approached by Aspire Systems, a global technology services company, as they sought to acquire Method4, a UK-based specialist in agile software development and content management systems (CMS). Aspire identified this acquisition as a key step in strengthening its European presence, particularly in the UK public sector, and expanding its delivery capabilities in Europe.
Method4, founded by two entrepreneurs, had built a strong reputation in the market, particularly through long-standing government contracts. With no in-house legal team in the UK, Aspire engaged us to lead the legal process, ensuring the deal was structured and negotiated effectively.
Our Expert Guidance Through the Acquisition Process
From the outset, Rachel Duncan our Head of Legal played a critical role in structuring and negotiating the transaction.
A key challenge in this transaction was conducting due diligence on Method4’s government contracts. Given Aspire’s interest in securing a strong foothold in the UK public sector, we carried out a detailed review of all government agreements, verifying their validity, compliance, and transferability. This was essential in ensuring Aspire could seamlessly inherit these contracts without risk.
Additionally, we:
- Reviewed supplier and service agreements to ensure all contracts remained binding post-acquisition and to mitigate any risks.
- Drafted and negotiated the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to protect Aspire’s investment while ensuring a smooth transition for both parties.
- Ensured regulatory and contractual compliance, providing Aspire with end-to-end legal guidance throughout the process.
Without a dedicated UK legal team, Aspire relied on us to navigate UK regulations and secure a deal structure that provided both immediate stability and long-term scalability.
Successful Acquisition: Key Outcomes & Business Growth
The transaction was successfully completed, allowing Aspire to integrate Method4 into its global operations. Our strategic legal approach ensured Aspire could inherit key government contracts, retain supplier relationships, and expand its UK presence without disruption.
By delivering comprehensive due diligence and expert legal structuring, we enabled Aspire to achieve a smooth acquisition while positioning the company for future growth in the UK market.
The transaction was successfully completed, allowing Aspire to integrate Method4 into its global operations. Our strategic legal approach ensured Aspire could inherit key government contracts, retain supplier relationships, and expand its UK presence without disruption.
By delivering comprehensive due diligence and expert legal structuring, we enabled Aspire to achieve a smooth acquisition while positioning the company for future growth in the UK market.
Meet Our Legal Director Rachel
Rachel singlehandedly launched the legal part of our offering back in 2019, and since then has worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes.
With over 20 years of experience, Rachel is a specialist in all the things your business will need: from business sales and purchases, due diligence, company restructuring, commercial contracts and commercial leases (the list just keeps going).
Rachel managed the full legal process involved in Aspire’s Acquisition of Method4, and she’s helped countless more entrepreneurs with buying businesses.
Our Head of Corporate Finance, Neil Nichols
Neil Nichols, Founder of Accounts and Legal set up the business after successfully growing and selling his previous company, Portico, which he ran alongside his brother Robert Nichols. During the process of selling, Neil was taken aback by the unnecessary friction between accounting and legal functions, and this is where the seeds were sewn for Accounts and Legal. After surveying other business owners, Neil found that the majority stated their accountants weren’t wholy useful past the necessary compliance work. Armed with this information, Neil set up Accounts and Legal to be genuinely useful to business owners, providing the services they need in one place.
