Mergers & acquisitions

Our M&A work encompasses UK and cross-border acquisitions and divestments, complex reorganisations and restructurings, management buy-outs and buy-ins, and corporate rescues (such as pre-packs) and distressed transactions.

Our clients include UK and international quoted and private companies, financial services organisations, management teams and entrepreneurs.

We build bespoke partner-led teams for each transaction delivering integrated advice from specialists across a full service including real estate, competition, tax, pensions and employment, intellectual property and IT.

Our work often has an international dimension and we are able to call on a network of international lawyers to provide a seamless service whatever the complexities of the transaction - be it for UK companies on cross-border deals, or to assist corporates based in the US, Europe or Asia.

Experience

Ahlstrom

We advised Ahlstrom, a global leader in nonwovens and specialty papers and quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, in its acquisition of Shandong Puri Filter & Paper Products Limited in China from Purico Group.

Atkins

We advised FTSE 250 client WS Atkins plc on the disposal of its UK property managing contractor and managing agent business to Sodexo, a multi-national provider of on-site service solutions listed on the Paris Bourse. The transaction was implemented by way of a complex three stage hive down and pre-sale restructuring.

Bouygues

We advised Bouygues on its acquisition of a majority interest in Leadbitter Group from Dutch group Heijmans NV. The target group (which includes Denne Construction) has revenues of approximately €400million.

Cable and Wireless

We advised on the demerger of Cable & Wireless into two listed companies, Cable & Wireless Worldwide and Cable & Wireless Communications, advising on the existing and post-demerger share incentive plans and associated governance matters.

Caring Homes

We advised Caring Homes, a major operator of residential care homes, on the restructuring of its debt facilities with Bank of Scotland and the renegotiation of its equity structure.

Crompton Technology Group

We advised the shareholders of Crompton Technology Group, a composites technology company, on its sale to Fortune 500 company Goodrich Corporation.

Dassault Systèmes

We advised the UK legal adviser to Dassault Systèmes in the acquisition of Netvibes, the award winning personalized dashboard publishing platform for the Web.

Ecclesiastical Insurance

We advised Ecclesiastical Insurance on the disposal of the majority of its life assurance business to Engage Mutual Assurance.

We also acted for Ecclesiastical on its issue of new listed preference shares.

Execution Noble

We advised Execution Noble the investment bank and securities broker in relation to the sale of a controlling interest to Lisbon based Espirito Santo Investment Bank, to become Espirito Santo Investment Bank incorporating Execution Noble.

Londonewcastle

We advised Londonewcastle on the sale of a £20m portfolio of residential-led mixed-use property development assets.

Origin Asset Management LLP

We advised the members of Origin Asset Management LLP on the sale of the majority of membership interests in OAM to Principal Global Investors LLC (part of NYSE-quoted Principal Financial Group) for a purchase price exceeding £40m.

Taylor Wimpey

We advised Taylor Wimpey on the intragroup asset transfer of various properties including obtaining a debt waiver and the transfer out of the property at net book value.