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Tag: Charles-Leveque

Harbottle & Lewis announces record financial results, capping a decade of transformational growth

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

Harbottle & Lewis has announced its financial results for the 2025/26 financial year.

For the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, the firm generated income of £58.3m, reflecting an 8.3% increase on the previous financial year in which the firm reported income of £53.8m. This represents not only a new record income figure, but also a further milestone in a decade of sustained, strategy-led growth. Over the past ten years, the firm has grown revenue by more than 130%, from £25.2m in 2015/16.

This trajectory reflects the firm’s strategic evolution from its origins as an entertainment boutique into a multidimensional, cross-disciplinary adviser to some of the world’s most high-profile businesses, individuals and families, supporting them across every aspect of their personal and commercial needs.

Co-managing partner Tony Littner commented:

“The firm’s strong performance, both in the last financial year and more broadly over the last decade, reflects the success of our concerted strategy to deliver consistent and sustained long-term growth. Our approach combines staying true to our roots by preserving the value of our history and identity, whilst showing the understanding and adaptability needed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of our clients. We do this by continuing to invest in our client relationships, whether that’s through our people or our commitment to innovation. Key to this has been embedding a culture across the firm of active listening and service delivery shaped by our clients’ priorities – we don’t just work alongside our clients; we mirror them, from their innovative mindset to their entrepreneurial nature, creating a depth of trust and loyalty that truly differentiates us and drives our continued success.”

Harbottle & Lewis advises ONE Strategy Studio on its sale to Radius Insights

Posted on by Dea Dragashi

We have advised ONE Strategy Studio, the world leading AI-first strategic insight agency, on its sale to Radius Insights.

Founded in 2023, ONE Strategy Studio uses Gen AI Automation to reinvent the insight & strategy agency experience, using automated AI solutions to transform brand strategy.

The team was led by co-managing partner Charlie Leveque and managing associate Katerina Capras with support from associates Suzie Hamilton and Julia Routledge, who advised on all corporate matters relating to the deal. Partner David Scott advised on tax and managing associate Zoey Forbes advised on intellectual property.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, ONE Strategy Studio founder Jonathan Williams commented:

“Going through a transaction is one of the hardest challenges in the start-up journey. Charlie, Katerina, Zoey and Julia from Harbottle and Lewis were the perfect partners to help us navigate the strange and complex world of legal negotiations and doing so with amazing pace, patience and resilience. When things get tough (and they will!) this is the team you want by your side and fighting your corner. We have partnered on multiple transactions, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone in the agency space looking to do the same.”

Charlie Leveque added:

“It has been a privilege to work with Jonathan and John. They are visionary founders who are harnessing the transformative power of AI to turbo-charge the growth of a state-of-the-art brand strategy and intelligence business. They have set a new benchmark for innovation in the industry, and we are looking forward to seeing ONE Strategy Studio achieve continued success as part of Radius.”

We advise on a broad range of corporate and corporate finance transactions including investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions. Learn more about our corporate practice here.

With special thanks to ONE Strategy Studio for the team’s “manga warrior heroes”, pictured below.

Harbottle & Lewis supports SimPal with donation of laptops

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

In a world where being digitally connected is no longer a luxury but a necessity, two million people in the UK are without any form of device.

Being digitally connected means having access to healthcare services, having opportunities to find work, and being connected to loved ones and wider communities. Without this, people are left isolated and vulnerable.

We have donated 28 of our unused laptops to SimPal, a charity which fights against digital poverty. With the vital support of business mobile company 1823 Group who arranged for the devices to be refurbished, each laptop will go to those who need it most. Watch this video to find out more about how SimPal is working with 1823 Group to tackle digital exclusion.

Chris Lewis, founder of SimPal, said:

“I want to extend a massive thank you to Harbottle & Lewis and all the organisations who have stepped forward to help us drive real change. We are grateful for the incredible support from Kerry and her team which means we are able to help more of those who find themselves in digital poverty. We must act to close the digital divide and it is donations like these which help us to make a difference.”

Kerry Angel, our director of IT, said:

“On behalf of Harbottle & Lewis, my team and I were delighted to be able to help SimPal by donating another batch of our old laptops to a great cause. With the help of 1823 Group, these laptops will take on a new lease of life by helping those struggling in digital poverty. We hope that what is a small gesture on our part will make a big difference to those who really need it.”

Founded in 2016, SimPal is a UK charity run entirely by volunteers which provides mobile phones and pre-paid SIM cards to people living with cancer and other life-threatening conditions, or who are in poverty, to enable them to stay connected to loved ones, healthcare services and their communities. Its services are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, with no means testing, ensuring that as many people as possible can access the support they need.

Harbottle & Lewis advises Ovation Rights on landmark acquisition of Sir Richard Stilgoe’s theatrical rights catalogue

Posted on by Deborah King

We have advised Ovation Rights on its acquisition of Sir Richard Stilgoe’s rights in some of the most successful stage musicals of all time, including The Phantom of the Opera and Starlight Express. The transaction represents one of the most significant acquisitions of theatrical rights in recent years, marking a pivotal step in recognising the enduring value of theatrical rights and the legacies behind them.

Founded and led by producer Jamie Hendry and former Amazon executive Philip Green, Ovation Rights introduces the scale and strategy ordinarily seen with music catalogue acquisitions to the creators and rightsholders of major plays and musicals. The company collaborates closely with authors, composers, lyricists and estates, working as custodians to protect legacies, honour artistic visions and passionately champion works.

Our team was led by partners Neil Adleman and Charles Leveque, with support from managing associate Teresa Walker and associates Emma Riggs and David Jones and with partner David Scott advising on corporate tax matters.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Jamie Hendry commented: “Working with Harbottle & Lewis has been exceptional throughout this transaction. The team understood the unique nature of theatrical rights acquisitions and provided invaluable guidance as we navigated this deal. Their expertise in entertainment law, combined with their commercial understanding of our vision for Ovation Rights, made them the perfect partners for this acquisition. As we continue to build our portfolio and support artists’ legacies, we know we have trusted advisors who share our commitment to protecting and championing the works that have shaped global theatre.”

Neil Adleman added: “We are delighted to have supported the Ovation Rights team on this groundbreaking acquisition. This transaction demonstrates the significant value and enduring appeal of theatrical rights, and we look forward to seeing Ovation Rights continue to invest in artists and rightsholders as custodians of these remarkable legacies.”

Harbottle & Lewis announces record financial results for FY25

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

Harbottle & Lewis has announced its financial results for the 2024/25 financial year.

For the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the firm reported income of £53.8m. This represents the highest income figure reported in its 70 year history.

These results demonstrate the firm’s sustained growth, with a 13.3% increase in income over the last two years and a 91.8% increase over the last eight years.

This is the firm’s first twelve month financial year since it altered its year end to align with the tax year following HMRC’s basis period reform.

Co-managing partner Charlie Leveque said:

“We are very pleased with how the firm has performed over the last financial year, reflected in these strong results which underscore the strength of the relationships we have built with our clients and the trust they continue to have in us. Over the last year we have continued to make great strides in implementing our strategy, for example by refining and sharpening our focus on key sectors, strengthening our international presence and developing our connections overseas, and investing in new ways to improve efficiencies through technology and innovation. This reinforces our conviction that the firm is in a strong position to build on these successes and that our focused, strategic approach will continue to bear fruit.