Sophie Ayre Associate Solicitor
Corporate and Commercial
Sophie is an experienced corporate solicitor who qualified in August 2017 and joined Swinburne Maddison in January 2018. She was promoted to Associate Solicitor in May 2022 in recognition of her expertise and dedication to supporting businesses with a range of corporate transactions.
With a Master of Laws from Northumbria University, Sophie has built a strong reputation for her commercial insight and ability to provide strategic legal guidance. She works closely with regional SMEs and growing businesses, ensuring they receive tailored legal advice that aligns with their objectives. Sophie’s approach is centred on trust and care, taking the time to fully understand a client’s business to deliver bespoke solutions rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service.
Her work spans multiple sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, digital technology, transport, and construction. Sophie frequently collaborates with other departments across the firm to provide seamless, commercially focused legal support.
In 2024, Sophie was named as a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 highlighting her corporate and commercial expertise.
- Share and asset sales and acquisitions
- Corporate restructuring
- Shareholders’ agreements
- General company law and governance advice
- Private equity matters
Sophie advises on a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and governance issues. She leads her own matters while also supporting senior colleagues on complex transactions. In addition, she plays a key role in mentoring junior team members.
Career highlights include:
- Assisting on the sale of Amberstone Security Group Limited to US-based Argenbright Security LLC.
- Supporting the acquisition of The Protector Group by Argenbright
Sophie is passionate about working with businesses that value legal expertise as part of their long-term growth strategy. She regularly presents seminars for the Durham City Incubator, advising entrepreneurs and startups on key legal considerations for scaling their businesses.
News & Insights
Insight
Government-Funded Occupational Health Training Offered to Small Businesses
Government-funded occupational health training is now being offered to small businesses in response to rising levels of long-term sickness among the UK workforce. Currently, 2.8 million people are signed off work due to long-term illness, one of the highest rates in the G7, and there are 800,000 more working-age adults out of work for health […]
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Why written Contracts matter. Lessons from Harrison V Buchanan
A recent court case serves as a useful reminder that it always pays to have a formal written contract, rather than relying on what was agreed in verbal discussions or through exchanges of emails or other messages. The Case The case of Harrison (t/a Rayson Engineering) v Buchanan and another [2025] EWHC 3283 (IPEC) was […]
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Changes to ID Verification with Companies House and Company Registers
From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a mandatory requirement for Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). These changes were introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023, which is part of the UK Government’s wider strategy to combat economic crime and improve corporate accountability. What’s changed? Identity verification is now […]
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Careers at Swinburne Maddison
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