S&W expands services with ClearViewIP deal

A professional services group is expanding its client offerings.

S&W has agreed to acquire ClearViewIP, a global intellectual property (IP) advisory firm. 

Established in 2007, ClearViewIP helps organisations maximise the value of their innovations through strategic management of intangible assets, providing IP strategy, operational and transactional advisory services across multiple sectors.

As part of the deal, two partners and ten employees from ClearViewIP will join S&W’s advisory business, bringing extensive experience in managing, protecting and commercialising innovation to ensure clients benefit from best-practice IP strategies.

Bosses say the acquisition will complement S&W’s existing advisory services, including corporate finance, valuations, transaction services and forensic support. 

They add it will also strengthen the firm’s wider offering across business tax, audit, consulting and outsourcing, integrating ClearViewIP’s expertise to deliver a more comprehensive service combining traditional professional services with specialist IP advisory.

Andrew Wilkes, chief executive at S&W, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the team from ClearViewIP to S&W. 

“ClearViewIP is a well-regarded and forward-thinking organisation with outstanding domestic and international growth potential. 

“It is exactly the kind of high-quality firm we are looking to acquire as we accelerate our growth strategy in partnership with Apax Funds.

“Broadening our range of complementary services is central to our vision of being the go-to professional services firm for dynamic businesses and private clients with complex needs. 

“Our acquisition of ClearViewIP gives us the ability to respond to demand we are seeing for intellectual property advisory services and helps deepen our relationship with clients.”

John Rugman, head of advisory at S&W, added: “In today’s fast-moving market, managing intellectual property is important for organisations to protect their innovations and deliver on their strategic objectives. 

“ClearViewIP’s experienced team has a proven track record of helping organisations align strategies for intangible assets with business priorities. 

“This deal enables S&W’s clients to access that expertise and maximise the value of their intellectual property investments.” 

Jon Calvert, partner at ClearViewIP, added: “As ClearViewIP looks to continue its rapid expansion, S&W, with strong financial backing from Apax Funds, offered us a unique opportunity to scale quickly and rapidly build a team to meet the growing demand from our clients. 

“As intangibles increasingly drive more value, the opportunity to embed our IP advisory services with an integrated advisory offering proved very compelling.”

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