Ashfords LLP advise on sale of Manson Guitar Works to Matthew Bellamy of Muse

Law firm Ashfords LLP has advised the shareholders on the sale of a majority shareholding in Devon based guitar manufacturer, Manson Guitar Works Limited, to Muse frontman, Matthew Bellamy.

Ashfords acted for Hugh Manson and Adrian Ashton on the sale of a majority shareholding in Manson Guitar Works Limited and the sale of the intellectual property in the guitars from Hugh Manson. The guitarist, songwriter and frontman of international stadium band Muse, Matthew Bellamy, now owns a majority of the business through his company Globalist Partners Limited, with Adrian Ashton also remaining as a shareholder. Luthier and namesake Hugh Manson will remain a consultant to the company.

Manson Guitar Works is the latest facility from internationally renowned luthier Hugh Manson. For over four decades Hugh has produced world class premium quality guitars for some of the most respected guitar greats, combining traditional luthier skills with genuinely new and exciting technology developments.
Manson Guitar Works has a reputation of producing mainstream and highly innovative instruments used by respected musicians globally. The combination of Bellamy’s stage presence and musicianship with the manufacturer’s market position will put the new business at the forefront of guitar technology and creativity.

The Ashfords’ team advising Mason Guitar Works was led by Partner and Head of Ashfords’ Corporate and Commercial Teams, Andrew Betteridge, with assistance from James Crotty.
Ashfords’ Andrew Betteridge commented: “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 from Manson Guitar works commented: “Having taken my training and 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 LLP
Andrew Betteridge
Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Teams
+44 (0)117 321 8063
a.betteridge@ashfords.co.uk
ashfords.co.uk