Experience & Background
Matt Downing is a Member (owner), Partner and Head of the Corporate Team and works from the Norwich office.
He is a very experienced corporate lawyer with over 10 years’ experience, advising clients on buying and selling businesses across a wide range of sectors. He has particular experience in advising companies on acquisitions, selling owner managed and family businesses and acting for the selling and acquiring teams on management buyouts. Matt advises on non-contentious corporate insolvency transactions as well as restructuring, banking, funding and shareholder matters. Matt also has a good understanding of the franchising sector and often advises on the sale and acquisition of existing franchise businesses.
Matt has been listed in the Legal 500 as a next generation partner and recommended lawyer.
Matt graduated with a First Class Honours degree from the University of Lincoln and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Law School, obtaining a distinction. He has spent most of his career in Norwich, with spells also working in Lincoln and Cambridge. He joined Spire after heading up the Cambridge Corporate Team of one of East Anglia’s largest law firms.
Matt is a lifelong Blackburn Rovers fan but also enjoys taking his son to watch Norwich City. Matt is enthusiastic about all things Formula 1, a passion he shares with his daughter. He also enjoys travelling, reading, movies, owns a dog and is a keen runner.
or Contact Matt Downing on 01603677077 & at matt.downing@spiresolicitors.co.uk
Matthew Downing is my go to person. He provides outstanding service, producing quick, efficient and pragmatic advice. He demonstrates a real understanding of the commercial/corporate aspects of my organisation and is always ready to assist.Matthew Downing clearly understands our business. This makes it easier when issuing instructions and reflects in the tailored advice received. Matt is very commercial and offers clear and concise advice that is easy to understand. One gets the impression that Matt clearly wants to help the organisation I work for, rather than just make money.
I would like to say that the services and advice provided by you and your team have been excellent throughout and swift. I am happy to recommend your services to others.
Matthew Downing clearly understands our business. This makes it easier when issuing instructions and reflects in the tailored advice received. Matt is very commercial and offers clear and concise advice that is easy to understand. One gets the impression that Matt clearly wants to help the organisation I work for, rather than just make money.
I know that I can easily get hold of the people I want to speak to, and that my queries/instructions will be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. Individuals take responsibility for the work, and one is not passed off onto junior members. The individuals I deal with do communicate internally which has resulted in Spire understanding our business. This reflects in the quality of the advice provided. This is not always the case with other firms.
Speed and consistent delivery on commitments. Pragmatic approach.
Spires Solicitors continued professionalism and support of our organisation is first-rate. I have always found them proactive, communicative and very much focused on our needs.
I would like to say how impressed I was with the speed of the service. Following my initial enquiry made by email at 16:25 I received a response at 18:56 by email. My follow up queries were dealt with in equally swift fashion and having appointed your firm to carry out the work the engagement documentation followed by email the same day. The fully comprehensive report was received within the given timescale and was very extensive and tremendously helpful in allowing me to make a decision being in full receipt of all the facts. A pleasure to deal with and highly efficient.
Matt Downing has been instrumental in supporting Centurion Safety Products and myself in the recent transformation and modernisation. Coming on to our 140th anniversary year as a Thetford based designer and manufacturer, we had a task in front of us to create partnerships for our next phase of growth. Matt and the team have helped us execute these partnerships on both the customer and supplier side. We have been advised on relationships in the UK, USA, China and Taiwan. Our leadership team continue to be impressed with Spire’s speed and pragmatism in their advice and hands on support. We trust Spire to the extent we link them straight to the counsel of our new customers or suppliers if necessary without concern or hesitation. Thanks Matt.
Carolyn and I wanted to thank you in particular for your calm, incisive direction on the business sale. Also really importantly for keeping us informed at every turn and for always making us aware of your availability and for helping to keep the stress levels low. Thank you for your good clear advice and for keeping a sense of humour!We also wanted to thank Abi and June for mirroring your clear advice and for always keeping us informed. Communication is everything in times like these.
I thought I couldn’t be a happier, more impressed customer of Spire, having worked with members of the commercial team on several occasions in recent years, but then the experience got way betterIn the middle of the summer holidays I needed to sell two limited companies quickly. The commercial team somehow shoe horned me in to their already busy schedule, and set about making it happen. I had no idea that their commitment and drive to get it done would see them working well into the evenings, nights and weekends.The commitment was exceptional, as was the experience, skill and judgement. The communication was first class. I just can’t find enough words to express how impressed I was, together with my gratitude for completing both of the sales so quicklySpecial thanks to Roger Margand and Matt Downing, who are true ambassadors for their profession
