The Carlton & Co group of businesses operates nationally in the areas of property, financial services and technology from their headquarters on Aycliffe Business Park…
The company was co-founded by brothers Norman and Craig Peterson in 2001 and has developed in various markets since that time, launching further businesses under their GrowthCapitalVentures brand, an FCA Authorised investment company which raises capital for businesses and projects.
The very nature of such a business structure demands strict legal support and the Petersons were keen to have approachable and local experts available to meet their vast array of legal needs.
Craig explained: “Our ethos revolves around investing in great relationships whether that is our team, our partners, our supply chain or our customer base.
“But we also understand that a good legal structure underpins any growing business.
“We thrive on challenging convention and innovating and we are always striving to evolve and improve on existing best practice, particularly in the financial services and technology sector.
“To do this, we work closely with Endeavour Partnership which is, we believe, is one of the best business-focused law firms in the field.”
As one of the North East’s leading commercial law firms, Endeavour Partnership is the go-to legal practice for a range of issues in sectors ranging from construction, healthcare, hospitality and leisure to agriculture, education, retail, IT and start-ups.
The Stockton-based law firm has a reputation spanning over 15 years and has supported Carlton & Co over the past three years as they have moved into new markets.
Endeavour has been responsible for assisting with various aspects relating to the business’ growth and diversification within their property, financial services and technology businesses.
Carlton & Co established GrowthCapitalVentures in 2013 as an investment company focused on raising capital and structuring investment opportunities across three key sectors – real estate, clean energy and technology.
Endeavour Partnership worked closely with GrowthCapitalVentures to develop a suite of documents which allow smaller private investors to co-invest in deals alongside professional investors including high net worth individuals and venture capital funds.
Norman Peterson said: “Endeavour Partnership streamlined the whole process for us and ensured what could have been complex and time consuming was fast, efficient and simple and in line with the most stringent legal regulations in the industry.
“It’s fantastic to have a firm with Endeavour’s capabilities right on our doorstep and they offer an excellent service to rival the big firms in Leeds and Newcastle.”
Carlton & Co has drawn on three key areas of Endeavour Partnership’s expertise, working closely with their Commercial Property, Employment and Corporate and Commercial departments to support acquisitions and planned expansion of the business.
The Endeavour property team has provided legal advice on the acquisition of residential and commercial development sites in the North East, Yorkshire and the North West.
A growing part of the strategy of both Carlton & Co and GrowthCapitalVentures is to identify, incubate or acquire early stage technology focused businesses with potential to grow.
Endeavour Partnership recently supported the Carlton & Co team on the management buy-in of a Cambridge-based software company which will now form part of their portfolio of businesses which will be developed and scaled up over the coming years.
Endeavour’s Corporate and Commercial team provided the necessary support to acquire a shareholding in the new company, providing a firm footing for growth.
Craig Peterson said: “We invest in technology businesses that have potential to grow quickly and needed a law firm that understood the technology sector and the management buy in process.
“The Corporate and Commercial team at Endeavour provided solid legal advice and an excellent service, ensuring that our recent acquisition progressed in a smooth and efficient manner.
“The next stage will include working with the Endeavour team to register and protect the intellectual property which will help to increase the value of the business in coming years.
“It is incredibly reassuring to have such an approachable and proactive team so close by and available to provide advice on a wide range of legal services. The support we have received over the past three years has been first class and we are delighted to have Endeavour as an important part of our team.”
The start of 2016 has seen Endeavour Partnership begin a period of recruitment to add to its team of 45 as it continues with its planned growth for 2016, following a successful 2015 where the firm exceeded its anticipated development across the North East.
The company was launched in 1999 by four partners who saw the need for a law firm to provide purely commercial legal services.
Endeavour has continued to grow thanks to its varied expertise in areas including commercial litigation, banking and finance, employment, corporate recovery and insolvency and commercial property and its links with its local community.
For further information, practical advice documents and career opportunities visit www.endeavourpartnership.com
