Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Our experienced Corporate team has an enviable reputation for delivering excellence in all areas of mergers and acquisitions work, covering both cross-border and domestic markets.
Combining strong technical skills with commercial focus and a detailed understanding of the legal landscape, our lawyers give clients a clear strategy to follow and provide much-needed support during critical periods of negotiation.
When it comes to private M&A deals and public takeovers, we act for a broad range of commercial clients including multinationals, entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses with particular expertise in the following sectors:
Events and Publications; Healthcare; Education; Real Estate; Technology; Renewable Energy and Natural Resources; and Financial and Professional Services.
We also advise public companies on compliance with relevant listing rules and associated issues – including the Takeover Code.
A key feature of our Corporate team’s approach to M&A is project management support. This is vital at a time when management resources are stretched, enabling clients to remain focused on the issues at hand and continue the day-to-day operation of their businesses.
Our close working relationship with other Wedlake Bell teams – including Competition, Real Estate, Pensions & Employee Benefits, Employment, Corporate Tax, Banking and Financial Services/Regulatory – means we can deliver a full service M&A offering to our clients. Our links with the Private Client team mean we can advise on tax efficient exit structures and wealth management issues that arise post-transaction.
Experience
- We advised a global IT group on the sale of its IT managed services business together with its outsourced office in India. This transaction involved the Wedlake Bell corporate team leading a team of UK and Indian lawyers and tax advisers. Extensive labour law advice was required both in relation to TUPE in the UK and the transfer of the employment contracts of the 90 employees in India.
- We advised managed services provider, Computer Systems Integration Group Limited ("CSI"), on its £10m bolt-on acquisition of APSU Capital Ltd. The acquisition - of the entire issued share capital of Apsu Holdings Limited (and other group companies) – was a bolt-on addition to CSI’s existing business as part of preparations for a further sale within the next year. The value of the acquisition to the buyer largely rests in a number of significant and long-term managed services contracts.
- We acted as English counsel to Baitone Limited on its high-value sale of Best Gaming Technology GmbH ('BGT') to Playtech PLC. Headquartered in Vienna, BGT was founded in 2005 and is the leading provider of sports betting software and solutions for gaming and sports betting operators.
- We advised Reed Exhibitions, the UK’s largest provider of trade and customer exhibitions on the acquisition of the Imbibe exhibition business. The Wedlake Bell corporate team worked closely with the firm’s leading IP and branding team carrying out extensive legal due diligence for the client on the target’s business.
News
Wedlake Bell Advises on Sale of CBW to Gravita and the Corresponding Pre-Sale Reorganisation of CBW Group
Wedlake Bell has advised the members of chartered accountancy firm Carter Backer Winter (“CBW“) on its sale to Gravita, a portfolio company of European tech investor Tenzing. The sale means that… Read more →
News
Wedlake Bell Advises MSUK on Pre-Pack Acquisition of TV and Film Production Business
Wedlake Bell has advised MS by Joann Sfar UK Limited (“MSUK“) on its acquisition of the independent TV and film production business and assets of Filmwave Limited (in administration). Wedlake… Read more →
The team is highly capable of dealing with complex matters with a hands-on mentality. Always available when needed.
— Legal 500, 2023
The team is extremely committed and available, while being very knowledgeable and always seeking for solutions.
— Legal 500, 2023
Edward Craft is fantastic. Totally aligned with his client’s commercial needs and works relentlessly hard to achieve the best for his clients. Very practical, pragmatic and a real gentleman to deal with.
— Legal 500, 2023
Janice Wall: love the way she acts. She is very smart; full focussed on the matter at hand.
— Legal 500, 2023
Nigel Taylor and his team are efficient friendly and accessible. Good practical commercially driven advice with sound corporate legal knowledge. Great communication. Access to related and complimentary services.
— Legal 500, 2023