Franchising, business problems – and sports?!So, what have I been doing recently? Mainly, giving added value advice to our clients – mostly SMEs.- Getting the right sort of solution for franchisees. We don’t want our clients picking fights that they are not going to win, so the skill is in working out what our client really wants (often that isn’t what they think they want at the outset); then trying to work out a strategy to get to that goal, usually in a way that makes the franchisor think it is their idea; and then get the whole thing over the line. Franchising is great for growth- Lots of businesses are in difficulty. I am an Insolvency Specialist, and that means I can help businesses in difficulty. In practice, that means: dealing with guarantee demands from banks; trying to save businesses that can be saved; and (and sorry if this sounds too “grand”) giving people the room to learn from their failures. Here, the American approach is so different from the British one: in Britain, we worry about people who have had insolvencies, but in the States they know you will have learned something valuable.- Sports: most people are interested in some sports, and I enjoy working in this area Many sports have similar issues:o Trying to do more with less casho Signing up to contracts that they haven’t read properlyo Internal disputes that can wreck the sporto Problems with agentsAs a business, we’ve worked in many sports: football; golf; volleyball; bowls; cricket – and there must be others! We’ve also acted for athletes, clubs and regulatory bodies. And because the same problems tend to reappear, we can bring the experience of what happened in one sport to another.So – how can I help you? By listing your plans and problems, and then planning a cost effective solution (particularly if you plan to buy, sell or grow). Nothing ventured….If you want to talk these things through, or need help now – get in touch: I’m at john.clarke@ccwlegal.co.uk or 07714411412.

Abbeyford Leisure are a growing business operating in the leisure sector, primarily running a number of caravan parks in Scotland and Wales: see www.abbeyford.comAbbeyford Leisure have been very successful in their sales of both caravans and sites for caravans, having growing numbers of customers – who, through Abbeyford Leisure, enjoy their time in some of the most beautiful parts of Britain.I sit on Abbeyford Leisure’s Board as a non-executive director

BitWise are a growing, Fife-based business: see http://www.bitwise.co.uk. BitWise has operations in Germany, Holland, Sweden and Estonia. BitWise’s principal area of operation is as an accredited design and development services company specialising in product development assistance for high technology organisations. BitWise is a fast growing business, with increasing sales in many countries.I sit on BitWise’s Board as a non-executive director

Capital Law provides commercial legal services to private and public sector clients: see www.caitallaw.co.uk. Based in Cardiff and London, Capital Law aim to deliver more and add value wherever possible. Capital Law’s clients say we're approachable, provide clarity, give excellent advice and talk plainly.The consultancy I provide to Capital Law is primarily for businesses in difficulty, but with Capital Law’s focus on business we do a lot of work in the acquisition and sale of SMEs.

This business – see murrayllp.com - was set up by Anthony Murray, who used to work with me at Pagan Osborne many (many!) years ago, when we worked on corporate acquisitions and sales – and much more. Anthony is based in New York, and based on Anthony’s recent career, the firm focuses on advice in the financial sector – usually businesses looking to grow or be sold.

Avrio is a network of lawyers, principally – but not exclusively – based in Europe: see www.avrioadvocati.com.I have been involved with Avrio since about 1990 as an “ordinary” member, then as a Board Member and finally as President. My period in office is now over, and so I take a seat at the back of the room!Avrio is a “broad church” with legal firms covering many disciplines, but with good colleagues in my core areas of work – SME acquisitions and sales for example – in many countries.Through the friendships that I have built up over the years with fellow members, I hope to be able to offer my clients a “friendly face” if they need legal help in a new country.

I joined Pagan Osborne in autumn 1981 and left in autumn 2003 to found CCW. During my time at Pagan Osborne, I built the corporate practice (advising on many acquisitions and sales); began my insolvency specialisation (advising businesses in difficulty); and generally was a port of call for SMEs.