HP go "Potty" over Corporate and Commercial Director

Hughes Paddison have announced the appointment of a new Director, Jon Rathbone, to strengthen their established team of lawyers and to help grow the firm’s Corporate and Commercial Department.

Jon joins Hughes Paddison from international law firm, DAC Beachcroft. He brings with him over 14 years’ experience. Initially he specialised in mergers and acquisitions, but then branched out into a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions, including setting up a new model for investing in dental practices, and advising on complex, high value procurements of high-tech equipment. Jon has also designed one of the UK’s bestselling children’s potties, and has established a successful business selling his products to the likes of John Lewis and Tesco. His detailed legal knowledge is therefore complimented by his first-hand experience of building his own business, and operating at every level from initial design through to sales.

Paul Engelbrecht, Head of Commercial Property at Hughes Paddison, commented on the new appointment:

“We are delighted to be able to announce that someone of Jon’s calibre has joined the team at Hughes Paddison. He brings to the firm a genuine dual specialism in corporate and commercial work, and will benefit our clients greatly with his combination of commercial and pragmatic legal advice. With the addition of Jon, we now offer the full range of corporate and commercial services, and are confident that we can meet all our clients’ needs”. 

In addition to Jon’s experience of working in private practice for national firms, he has also spent a year as the Group Legal Counsel for Mulberry Group plc, the luxury fashion house. Combined with his experience of designing and launching the “Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty”, this has given Jon a great insight into the challenges faced by every size of business.

Jon commented:
“All businesses are looking to control their costs, while taking appropriate measures to mitigate risk as they grow. This demands a pragmatic and commercial approach, which I provide. I constantly question the extent of any risk and the financial implications for the client of any proposed arrangement. With the experience that I bring, I am very well placed to provide clients with expert commercial advice, appropriate for the challenges they face. I advise across all sectors, but have particular expertise in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, importing, exporting and retail.
I am delighted to be joining Hughes Paddison at this exciting time in their expansion, and from the members of the team whom I have already met, I have been greatly impressed by their knowledge, attitude, and the strength of the client relationships. I am very much looking forward to getting to know the local business community, and to helping Hughes Paddison grow the Corporate and Commercial Department”.

Jon is married with three children and when work and family commitments allow, he enjoys playing golf, tennis and badminton.