Wragge & Co wins Smiths News PLC as new client

Wragge & Co LLP has won a coveted place on FTSE-listed company Smiths News PLC's full-service legal panel following a competitive tender.

Formerly part of the WHSmith Group, Smiths News PLC has a £1.7 billion turnover. Its businesses include Smiths News, the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler, and Bertrams, a leading book wholesaler.

Corporate partner Andy Stylianou led a cross-firm pitch team comprising specialists in corporate, employment, IT, commercial, litigation and property. Having secured its panel appointment, the team has already started work on a corporate transaction for Smiths News PLC. The firm is working closely with the company's executive board, in-house counsel and HR director.

Andy Stylianou said: "Being appointed by this major corporate as a full-service legal provider presents exciting opportunities for a wide range of instructions. The strength and depth of our experience, retail and supply chain credentials, and reputation as a relationship firm was integral to the appointment. Smiths News PLC has seen significant growth in its core market of news distribution and we look forward to working with the ambitious company as it expands further into complementary markets."

Mark Cashmore, chief executive of Smiths News PLC, added: "We are delighted to be working with Wragge & Co. We spoke to a number of other leading firms but Wragge & Co's depth of services and overall approach stood out. I'm looking forward to a productive partnership."

Smiths News delivers 1.6 billion newspapers and 800 million magazines a year to 30,000 retailers across England and Wales. Bertrams stocks more than 180,000 titles. As well as supporting independent bookshops, it trades with online retailers and some of the biggest media and newspaper customers in the UK.

Wragge & Co joins Herbert Smith on the legal panel.

Wragge & Co has a strong track record in advising major corporates, with clients including BP and United Biscuits. In Chambers latest annual FTSE survey, the firm was ranked equal ninth in a list of legal advisers acting for FTSE 100 companies.

The firm's solid experience in supply chain and distribution includes advising Birds Eye Iglo Group Limited on a multi-million pound logistics and warehousing deal double in September 2009.