WHEN it comes to merger advice, York commercial law firm Rollits has caught and landed the big fish.

The practice, at Rowntree Wharf, off Navigation Road, has advised on the merger of six of the largest angling and conservation bodies in England.

Angling Trust has been created out of the merger of the Anglers’ Conservation Association, Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, National Association of Fishing and Angling Consultatives, National Federation of Anglers, National Federation of Sea Anglers and Specialist Anglers Alliance.

The new body will build on the benefits that the legacy organisations delivered to their members and will be a unified, powerful voice to protect fisheries, the sport they offer, and the environment on which they depend.

Stephen Marsh, the first chairman of Angling Trust, said: “It is an organisation angling has needed for many years. It represents more than a million regular coarse, game and sea anglers in England.

Angling contributes £3.5 billion to the economy and supports 37,000 jobs”.

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust said: “The formation of the Angling Trust is a very exciting development because it will at long last offer a professional, high-profile and powerful voice for everyone who fishes with rod and line.

“Rollits were invaluable to the merger, steering the Angling Trust through a difficult and complicated process with quality commercial advice delivered without fuss or commotion. Their lawyers deserve great credit for the success of this process.”

Rollits’ corporate partner Richard Frogson said: “This has been an unusual and exciting transaction to work on. We have been involved in the transaction from its inception and are delighted that the merger has successfully completed. We are sure that with the commitment shown by the board in completing the merger the organisation will be a very powerful force for anglers”

The Rollits legal team was led by Mr Frogson and included Gerry Morrison (Charities), Craig Engleman (corporate) Neil Maidment (employment) and Alison Munro (commercial property).