We’re delighted to announce that from this month GRM is now one of the commercial partners working with Think London, London’s official foreign direct investment agency.
Think London is a prestigious, not-for-profit, private-public partnership providing expert advice to international organisations and overseas investors on all aspects of doing business in the capital – whether in connection with setting up, expansion or relocation, or any one of the numerous operational issues which are part of establishing and running a business.
Think London promotes London as the first choice for any business entering the UK and deals with organisations as small as initial start-ups and as large as huge established multi-nationals. Since 1994 it has helped over 1,400 companies from40 countries set up or expand in London and with the current favourable inward investment climate - combined with the opportunities created by the 2012 Olympics - that number is likely to increase substantially in coming years.
As many of our existing clients will be aware, GRM has a long history of providing international legal advice both for external organisations and individuals requiring advice on UK law and operations and also for those from within the UK who are seeking to undertake business dealings abroad. A good example of how we operate is provided by our specialist Anglo-German team which developed over many years from the expertise and connections of our own German staff. The current team leader, partner Jan Hoppe is a prime example.
Jan studied law at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany) between 1990-1995; qualifying as a German lawyer in Berlin in 1998, before qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2000. He is a committee member of the Association of German Speaking Lawyers in Great Britain, a member of the British German Jurists' Association and Lloyd's and London Market Deutscher Verein (LLMDV). In addition to his role as a partner in our corporate team he also leads the team servicing the firm's extensive Anglo-German client base specialising in all aspects of company/commercial and corporate law, intellectual property and commercial contracts.
More recently we have also developed a similar thriving Anglo-Italian specialist group again based on our long-standing Italian contacts and the knowledge and expertise of our own Italian legal personnel. We regularly visit Italy to meet with organisations and individuals who may be considering locating their businesses within the UK and maintain close links through our role as active members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in London.
Feedback from our international clients from many countries confirms that for them our appeal lies in our true understanding and appreciation of the intricacies of different business cultures and contexts within which organisations are required to operate - both internationally and in the UK. Experience shows that often it can be small distinctions that constitute barriers and pitfalls for the unwary. Apparently insignificant legal or commercial requirements may have a huge and potentially damaging impact on those who fail to appreciate their implications; our strength lies in being able to advise on these in advance thereby avoiding later damage and delays.
As a 12 partner firm we are a relatively small but tight-knit group working across legal disciplines as required. We offer a personal and consistent service which is reflected in the fact that many of our client relationships can be traced back over many years, mirroring the growth and success of the incoming company itself. Another strength lies in our own stability with a history of over 200 years at Bedford Row putting us firmly at the heart of the capital’s legal community. Yet despite our central London location our efficient operating base means we are able to accommodate the financial constraints of fledgling concerns seeking trustworthy, reliable and pertinent advice in one of the world’s largest and most vibrant cities.
Think London membership further strengthens our own existing network of advisors in fields such as finance, property, and employment – all of whom provide us with relationships we can call upon as necessary to assist with specialist matters outside our remit. It also builds on our long-standing membership of IGAL the international network of lawyers and accountants.
For more information about Think London please see their website at www.thinklondon.com or email Jane Laidler at GRM j.laidler@grm.co.uk
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