Berry Smith and Sharemark alliance targets fund raising for SMEs

A leading Welsh law firm has been appointed as a ‘preferred advisor’ by Sharemark, a stock market facility that provides smaller companies with a cost effective route to raise capital and trade their shares.

Cardiff-based Berry Smith will be one of the firms Sharemark recommend to provide legal support to clients applying for primary fundraising and secondary market-trading campaigns across the UK.

Launched in 2000, Sharemark, owned and operated by The Share Centre Ltd., delivers a simple and transparent service for growing companies and investors.

The alliance with Sharemark will expand Berry Smith’s client offering to include a cost-effective route for businesses seeking to raise funds in the range of €1 million to €5 million and a secure market to trade their shares.

Andrew Bound, partner and head of corporate finance at Berry Smith, commented, “Sharemark is an innovative venture that facilitates development for ambitious SMEs and investment in exciting start-up companies. This is a vital service, filling a funding gap for smaller companies, within an economic climate that demands a dynamic and growing private sector”.

“We are delighted to be appointed as a preferred advisor by Sharemark. This invaluable, strategic relationship demonstrates our proactive approach to increasing the scope of our services in support of our client needs and objectives.”

Sophie Murra, Manager of Sharemark, added, “Sharemark has high expectations for our relationship with Berry Smith, including extending our reach to Welsh businesses. The corporate team at the firm have a credible reputation for their professional and efficient service and a strong network to support Sharemark’s deal flow”.

“Our recommendation to use Berry Smith’s services will ensure the appropriate businesses receive an efficient service from solicitors fully experienced in the Sharemark process and committed to our transparent cost structure”.  

Sharemark provides a primary fund raising platform and an online secondary market dealing mechanism that trades shares in periodic auctions at a single price without market makers and bid spreads, which can be a disadvantage to smaller companies and their investors.