Lawyers in the Bristol office of national firm Ashfords have helped one of the UK’s top guitar manufacturers sell shares to the frontman of rock band Muse.
Matt Bellamy bought the stake from Hugh Manson and Adrian Ashton of Devon-based Manson Guitar Works, giving the singer, guitarist and songwriter – who grew up in the county – a majority shareholding.
The Ashfords’ team, led by partner and head of corporate and commercial Andrew Betteridge with assistance from solicitor James Crotty, acted for Manson Guitar Works on the share sale along with the disposal of the intellectual property in the guitars from Hugh Manson.
Hugh Manson has produced world-class premium quality guitars for more than four decades, combing traditional skills with new technological developments.
Ashburton-based Manson Guitar Works has developed a reputation of producing mainstream and highly innovative instruments used by respected musicians globally, including Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.
Matt Bellamy, who bought the majority stake through his Globalist Partners Limited company, already had an extensive collection of custom Manson guitars.
Hugh Manson will remain a consultant to the company while Adrian Ashton, who trained and qualified as a solicitor at Ashfords before entering the music industry, remains as a shareholder.
Andrew Betteridge said the combination of Matthew Bellamy’s stage presence and musicianship with the manufacturer’s market position would put it at the forefront of guitar technology and creativity.
“It was fantastic to work with such a respected business in its field and help the evolution of the business with Matt’s joining. I am sure the future will be very exciting for Mansons.”
Adrian Ashton added: “Having qualified as a solicitor at Ashfords before venturing into the music business, I know what is required to get a complicated deal like this through.
“Balancing financial figures, multiple legal documents, as well as the needs and requirements of a jointly-owned business purchasing from a globally-recognised client demanded skill, creativity and long hours. Andrew and his team took the project on and got it successfully completed in a short scale of time; we are delighted with the result.”
Ashfords employs around 500 people across its offices in Bristol, Exeter, London, Taunton, Tiverton and Plymouth.
Pictured: Matt Bellamy with Adrian Ashton. Photo by Jolyon Holroyd
