Hub8, Cheltenham’s centre for tech innovation, has sold its majority shareholding to London-based Plexal, who deliver the government-backed NCSC for Startups Innovation Programme and help connect firms to investors following a deal advised on and supported by Harrison Clark Rickerbys (HCR).
The deal, led by Corporate Partner Derek Callanan (left) and assisted by Senior Associates Peter Raybould and Rowena Kay (right), brings the Cheltenham cyber hub into sharp focus as a major player in Gloucestershire’s flourishing tech community.
Derek Callanan said: “Gloucestershire is often referred to as the UK’s cyber capital, and that has come from Cheltenham-based companies like Hub8 taking bold steps to nurture and grow the talent the county has to offer. I’m thrilled that HCR have played a part in their continued growth.”
Plexal’s expertise in closing the gap between startups, government, industry and academia to solve society’s challenges will be available to Hub8 to further enhance existing resources.
Rowena Kay said: “Supporting innovation and change is a cornerstone of HCR’s ethos – I’m excited to see how Hub8 and Plexal grow together and wish them the very best for the future. It’s great to think we as a law firm have been part of a new beginning for Hub8 which will have far-reaching benefits for many tech professionals.”
Bruce Gregory, Director at Hub 8 said: “The Hub8 and Plexal partnership started in 2019. It’s enabled us to share ideas, connect with each other’s communities and create new initiatives to support our ongoing mission to build the UK’s most connected cyber ecosystem.
“Derek, Rowena, Peter and the team at HCR provided us with crucial support and advice to formalise our strategic partnership with Plexal that will take it to the next level and merge the national and local networks of technology partners that we’ve created respectively.”
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To find out more please contact: Jo Murray 07823 466 079 jmurray@hcrlaw.com
Editors’ notes:
About Harrison Clark Rickerbys
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Award-winning firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys provides a complete spectrum of City-quality legal services to business and private clients across the South and West Midlands, Thames Valley and Wye Valley corridors, the southwest of England and Wales.
The firm has grown through several mergers, both locally and with specialists, all answering client demand. It has more than 800 staff and partners operating out of offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Central England, Cheltenham, Hereford, London, Thames Valley, Worcester and the Wye Valley, and a turnover of c£65m.
The firm has specialist expertise in health and social care; defence, security and the forces; finance and financial services; construction and engineering; education; technology, and agriculture and rural affairs.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ work in all aspects of law is nationally and internationally recognised. Clients’ comments about the quality of its work has led to the firm being listed in Tier 1 of the prestigious Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners directories of the major law firms in England and Wales.
For more details, visit www.hcrlaw.com
