Mergers & Acquisitions

In such pivotal transactions it is important to be able to rely on the advice and commercial sense of experts who have been there before and who know what it takes to get the deal across the line.

Our corporate team represents buyers, sellers, investors and lenders across the full spectrum of corporate transactions. Working closely with colleagues in our tax, finance, commercial and employment teams, we deliver legal solutions that help our clients reach their business objectives. A number of our partners focus on specific industry sectors, enabling us to provide an even greater depth of expertise and give our clients an additional commercial edge.

With a strong international dimension we can advise on complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, instructing and co-ordinating law firms and other professionals in different jurisdictions so that our clients enjoy a seamless service.

While we have the expertise, track record and resources to service very large-scale transactions, and our clients range from entrepreneurs to quoted multinational corporations, we have particular strength and an established reputation in the mid-market.

Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis

If you have any questions or queries please call Julian on +44 (0)20 3036 7372 or email jlewis@fladgate.com

Has a good reputation on cross-border M&A transactions.  “The advice is clear, accurate and dynamic.”

Chambers UK

Mergers & Acquisitions team

 

Fladgate advises BB7 on investment by BGF and acquisition of Omega Fire Engineering

Ian Brent, Liam Bracken, Caroline Philipps, Gemma Grunewald

Fladgate acts for Pyser Optics Limited on £3.4m sale to Scientific Digital Imaging Plc

Fladgate continues with strong showing in Chambers UK 2019

Fladgate acts for Penna Plc on acquisition of Stafford Long and Partners

Amy Collins

Fladgate acts on the sale of specialist legal indemnity insurance broker Title & Covenant Brokers to Stackhouse Poland

John Forde, Liam Bracken, Ian Brent

Fladgate advises Sylphar N.V. on its acquisition of majority stakes in Pro Teeth Whitening Co Ltd and Nutravita Ltd

Fintech quarterly round-up: July – September 2018

Fladgate advises Selecta AG on acquisition of Express Vending

Fintech quarterly round-up: April – June 2018

Fladgate advises Fore Fitness on the sale of 13 easyGym sites to The Gym Group

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Fintech quarterly round-up: April – June 2018

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This quarterly round-up looks into some of the main regulatory developments and trends in fintech regulation during the second quarter of 2018. The previous edition of this briefing for January to March 2018 can be found here. Evolution of ICOs  The market for initial coin offerings (ICOs) continues to develop despite increased regulatory scrutiny. As […]

Fladgate advises Fore Fitness on the sale of 13 easyGym sites to The Gym Group

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Fladgate have advised Fore Fitness on the sale of 13 easyGym sites to The Gym Group. The initial consideration is £20.6m, with an additional £4.1m payable when lease extensions are agreed on two sites. Fore Fitness is to focus its operations on the easyGym franchise model going forward. The deal was completed within an intense […]

Recent decisions from the English Courts on arbitration matters

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The English Court has issued a number of recent judgments in respect of arbitration matters and its supervisory powers under the Arbitration Act 1996  We summarise some of the more important decisions emerging, including those relating to “apparent bias” challenges against an arbitrator. Progas Energy Limited v Pakistan [2018] EWHC 209 (Comm) (9 February 2018) […]

Fladgate advises shareholders of M25 Business Centres Ltd on its sale to BizSpace

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Fladgate has advised the shareholders of M25 Business Centres Ltd on its sale to BizSpace. M25 Business Centre, which is located in Waltham Abbey, Essex, totals 55,000 sq ft across four storeys with office space ranging from 90 sq ft to 2,454 sq ft.  The property also includes meeting rooms, break out areas and executive […]

AIM companies must comply with a recognised corporate governance code by September 2018

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Background On 30 March 2018 a revised version of the AIM Rules for Companies (AIM Rules) became effective. The new version of the AIM Rules extends the ambit of the information that each AIM company must include on its website pursuant to rule 26 of the AIM Rules. The new version of the AIM Rules […]

Fladgate acts on sale of iZettle to PayPal for $2.2 billion

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Fladgate LLP is pleased to have acted for the lead group of financial investors (comprising Zouk Capital, Index Ventures, 83North, Creandum and Northzone) on the sale of their entire interest in iZettle to PayPal Holdings; subject to regulatory approval. The total deal value was $2.2B. Nathan Medlock, Partner at Zouk Capital commented: “We are grateful […]

Smart contracts: are they as smart as they sound?

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Smart contracts are one of the major developments arising out of the distributed ledger and are intended to simplify how contracts are made and executed.   This briefing considers what they are and how they fit into the law of contract. What are smart contracts? There is no standard, generally accepted definition of smart contracts but […]

Fladgate acts for AuVert Mining Group Limited on the acquisition of Colombian entity Ulloa Recursos Naturales S.A.S

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Fladgate LLP acted for AuVert Mining Group Limited in relation to the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Ulloa Recursos Naturales S.A.S , a Colombian entity, from AIM listed mineral exploration and development company Bezant Resources Plc. Ulloa holds alluvial platinum and gold licences located in the Choco region of Colombia. Corporate partner […]

New rules for Authorised Fund Managers

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The Asset Management Market Study carried out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) raised concerns about weak price competition and the ability of investors to seek the best value. Therefore the FCA has decided to introduce new rules and guidance applicable to authorised fund managers (AFMs) in respect of their management of authorised funds subject […]

Fladgate acts for managed IT services provider GCC Group on acquisition of Perfect Dynamics

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Fladgate LLP has advised GCC Group on its second acquisition in three months. The deal to buy Perfect Dynamics is the second in a planned series of acquisitions intended to make GCC Group one of the UK’s largest managed IT services providers. Corporate partner Ian Brent led the transaction. GCC Group CEO Chris Harthman commented: […]

Fladgate acts on the sale of award-winning contractor accountancy and umbrella businesses First Freelance and First Umbrella to Optionis

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Optionis, the largest provider of professional services to the flexible workforce, has acquired award-winning contractor accountancy firm First Freelance and its sister umbrella company, First Umbrella. The acquisition will further strengthen Optionis’ position in the contractor accountancy and umbrella market, where it currently has a stable of six brands supporting clients across the UK. First […]

Fintech quarterly round up: January – March 2018

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This quarterly round-up looks into some of the main regulatory developments and trends in fintech regulation during the first quarter of 2018. Moves to regulate The appetite of governments and supervisors to regulate the crypto-world is increasing and, although short-term the position remains uncertain, it is clear that regulation is on its way. Within the […]

Fladgate LLP’s ‘very good’ department provides ‘first-rate service’. Practice head Grant Gordon advised the shareholders of Swansea City FC on their sale of a majority stake in the club to Swansea Football. Amy Collins is strong in corporate real estate: she acted for Aldgate Tower Investments on its £346m sale to a joint venture between China Life and Brookfield Property Partners, and assisted Sun Capital Assets with its joint venture with Scarborough Group International to purchase a 50% stake in the Sheffield Digital Campus development. Alex Kaufmann, who is fluent in French, German and Romanian as well as English, advised dbg on its sale to Merkle, and assisted Newson Gale with its sale to Hoerbiger.

Legal 500

The ‘very smart, efficient’ Graham Spitz advised Privet Capital on its purchase of Cash Processing Solutions, while hotels and leisure expert Julian Lewis, who is ‘very knowledgeable, efficient and client-focused’, acted for Haché on its acquisition by Hush. The ‘strong, bright, very experienced’ Ian Brent ‘fights his clients’ corner well’ and is ‘very knowledgeable’, particularly in the recruitment sector; energy and mining expert Nigel Gordon is ‘exceedingly diligent’. ‘Very knowledgeable, client-focused’ associate David Baverstock shows ‘good attention to detail’.

Legal 500

Well positioned to advise on lower mid-market deals on behalf of corporates, investors and entrepreneurs. Adept at handling both domestic and international transactions.  “They are excellent: proactive and good turnaround times.”  “Each solicitor has been thorough, rapid with replies and fair with billings.”  Represented Diversified Business Communications in its acquisition of Prysm Professional.  Grant Gordon is a key contact.

Chambers UK

Fladgate LLP’s department recruited Graham Spitz from Locke Lord LLP, as well as Chris Chrysanthou and Nigel Gordon from Fasken Martineau LLP. Amy Collins advised the shareholders of GSH Group on its £53m sale to ISS. Luke Morris acted for Privet Capital on its acquisition of Pyser-SGI Group and Aeromet.

Legal 500

International-flavoured practice handling a wide range of transactions, with recent experience in the technology, financial services and real estate sectors. Notable representation of hotels and developers.  “Excellent and client-driven with senior partners leading from the front in the management and delivery of transaction advice.” “Outstanding value for the quality and depth of legal advice provided.”

Chambers UK

“What stands out is the interpersonal relationship and feeling that you are working with peers and friends but also professionals.”  Represented various offshore groups in the acquisitions of Camden Lock Market and 50% of shares in Camden’s Stables Market.   Advised AIM-listed Mentum on its £27 million acquisition of the gold and copper exploration and development operations of Robust Resources in the Kyrgyz Republic.  Grant Gordon is head of the corporate department and a key contact.

Chambers UK

Fladgate LLP’s substantial practice was further developed by the additions of Neil Vickers from Dentons, and Graham Spitz from Locke Lord LLP. “Tough when needed, and knowing what issues to concede”, the team acted for Mentum on the £27m acquisition of the gold and copper exploration and development operations of Robust Resources. Grant Gordon heads the department, which includes recommended practitioners Paul Airley and David Robinson.

Legal 500

The sizeable team at Fladgate LLP was further bolstered by a number of new hires. It serves a broad client base, with recent deals spanning the hotels and leisure, financial services and healthcare sectors. International work features heavily, where the group’s dual-qualified lawyers such as Alex Kaufmann (Germany and England) are well placed to advise. Practice head Grant Gordon recently advised US-based Flagship Foods on its first European acquisition.

Legal 500

This firm focuses its practice towards internationally active entrepreneurial clients, completing deals across Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. The group is well known for its work in publishing and other media but also has strength in other sectors like real estate, leisure and resources. Their ability to get deals done is well recognised by clients, who comment: “They are clever guys, but their great attribute is their ability to find a solution when problems arise”.

Chambers UK

Clients praise this corporate department’s approach to a transaction: “The team does not delay everything by getting lost in legal principles and irrelevant detail – they stick to the deal”. The firm has strong international links with Germany and Israel. It recently advised Israel-based company Dmatek, a provider of people monitoring technologies, on its takeover by Francisco Partners.

Chambers UK

Well positioned to advise on lower mid-market deals on behalf of corporates, investors and entrepreneurs. Adept at handling both domestic and international deals and calls upon strong additional resources in tax, employment and finance practices to service complex transactions. “They have a very balanced, commercial point of view and are practical in trying to get the deal done.”

Chambers UK

Acted for the owner of Aldgate Tower Investments on the £346 million sale of the entire share capital in the company to a joint venture comprising Brookfield Property Partners and China Life. Served as lead advisers to shareholders in the holding company of Swansea City FC, following the sale of a majority stake in the club to US investors. Department head Grant Gordon is a key contact.

Chambers UK

  • Krannich Solar – acquisition of their first solar PV project in the UK at Moat Farm in Nottinghamshire from Greenswitch Ltd, a solar project development company. Krannich have an existing portfolio of solar PV projects in Germany, France and the US.
  • Handpicked Companies Ltd (owners of online retailer The Handpicked Collection) – advising the major shareholders on its sale to News UK.
  • Mentum Inc – £27m acquisition of the gold and copper exploration and development operations of ASX-listed Robust Resources Ltd in the Kyrgyz Republic. AIM listed Mentum is an investment group specialising in the commodities sector.
  • Splendid Hotel Group – reorganisation of a portfolio of eight branded and two unbranded central London hotels whereby one partner of Splendid Hotel Group acquired five hotels personally from the partnership and five were sold to the Redefine International Group which is an associate of one of South Africa’s largest listed property companies. The transaction was valued at £180m.
  • Sanguine Hospitality – acquisition by Interstate Hotels & Resorts of Sanguine’s management platform. Sanguine is a Liverpool based hospitality development and ownership company.
  • Flagship Food Group – acquisition of Atlantic Foods Group Ltd. The enlarged group supplies frozen, shelf-stable and fresh products into both retail and food service markets and also offers food packaging and logistic services and following completion had a combined turnover in excess of US$300m.
  • Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners and other investors – disposal of the award winning Hotel Saint–Barth Isle de France to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury products group.
  • Toumaz Ltd – £32m acquisition of Frontier Silicon (Holdings) Ltd, a leading supplier of semiconductor, module and software solutions for digital radio and connected audio systems, together with the related placing of 285.6m new Ordinary Shares at a placing price of 10.25 pence, raising £29.25m before expenses.
  • Esporta – disposal of a 13-club package of health and fitness clubs to Virgin Active. The deal involved the sale of seven health and fitness clubs in the UK as well as Esporta’s Spanish subsidiary.
  • Candover – acquisition of the Pandrol group of companies for £165m from Candover, a leading provider of equity for large European buyouts.
  • The Random House Group Ltd – various acquisitions including the acquisition of 90% of Virgin Books (together with the right to use the Virgin brand in the field of book, audio and digital worldwide), the majority shareholding in BBC Books, the publishing list of C W Daniel Company Ltd, a 50 % shareholding in Mainstream Publishing Ltd as well as the formation of a new book publishing joint venture with Time Out Guides and the merger of Random House South Africa and Struik Publishers.
  • Primary Health Care Centres Ltd – advising the owners on its sale to Primary Health Properties Plc, the UK’s leading investor in modern primary healthcare facilities. At the time of the sale PHCC owned 11 primary care properties.
  • BidTimes Plc – acquisition, by this AIM listed company of PowerHouse Energy Inc. and its subsequent re-admission to AIM (as PowerHouse Energy Group Plc). The market capitalisation of the group on admission was £49m.
  • Moeller Group – disposal of its Busbar Trunking Systems Division to Siemens Automation and Drives.
  • Lipsy – £17.4m disposal by the shareholders of this fashion brand to clothing retailer, Next.

Integrated

Our clients come to us to solve problems that are often complex and multifaceted. We draw together the multiple strands of a business or personal challenge into a coherent, integrated legal response that combines the knowledge and experience of experts in all the relevant fields.

Partner-led

We operate in small teams in which partners not only take the lead but also do a significant amount of the detailed work. Clients can be assured that the partners they engage and brief will remain closely involved in developing and delivering the advice as part of our close-knit, expert teams.

Experienced

Fladgate has a long heritage of delivering high-quality legal advice. We have been providing practical legal solutions to businesses and private clients for over 250 years. Today we are one of the UK’s top 100 law firms, with over 80 partners and a reputation for providing solutions that work.