International law firm Pinsent Masons has won the 'Professional Services to Football' award at this year's North West Football Awards.

A panel of industry experts – including Chief Executive of the PFA, Gordon Taylor, and former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins – chose the global sports team at Pinsent Masons in recognition of the significant experience it has within football in the North West, and its ability to service clients globally.

The award was presented last night at Lancashire County Cricket Club's 'The Point' during a ceremony hosted by BBC Sport's Dan Walker. The award itself was presented by Professor Tom Cannon, a leading academic on finance in sport and member of the judging panel.

Trevor Watkins, Global Head of Sport at Pinsent Masons, says:

"We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award. It is a terrific achievement and recognition of the industry understanding we deliver to clubs and other stakeholders in football across the Northwest and globally, particularly in the Middle East, North America and Far East. Sport is an increasingly complex, valuable and international sector. Further, the business of sport is an important sector for the firm and one that we continue to invest in. We are pleased to be at the heart of it as a leading global advisor, and especially proud to do so through our strong Manchester based team."

Helen Ridge, Head of Office for Pinsent Masons in Manchester, says:

"Football is clearly something we are passionate about in this part of the world and it is an important part of the work we do in our Manchester office. Winning this award is a real boon and I'm delighted at the recognition of the excellence delivered by our team, indicating that are now very much a part of both the sporting as well as commercial fabric of the North West."

Pinsent Masons Global Sports Team advises on the full spectrum of matters within the business of sport including commercial and media rights, finance, infrastructure, development, major events and regulation.

Led by Trevor Watkins, known for his rescue and subsequent Chairmanship of AFC Bournemouth, the Pinsent Masons team is recognised as one of the leading advisors to the sports industry. It operates from across our global offices and has a strong, dedicated presence in all of the firm's key centres of operation.

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