Does anyone need any confirmation of the gradual takeover of the City by rampaging US law firms? No, thought not. If, however, your answer is yes, then more evidence of the Americanisation of London can be found in the upcoming edition of the UK Corporate 50. Much of the focus in this year’s report is […]
The much-vaunted deal between Japanese conglomerate Softbank and British-based AI-chip innovator Graphcore comes at a pivotal time for the tech sector. The deal, understood to be valued at more than $500m, closed last week, shortly after the installation of a new Labour Government and when no definitive answer exists as to what AI regulation might […]
Akin Gump has recruited three of Cooley’s London partners, including its City managing partner Justin Stock. Stock moves to Akin along with Stephen Rosen and David Bresnick. The three focus on transactions with a life sciences and technology element. At Akin, Stock will become the firm’s international head of technology. Both Stock and Bresnick joined […]
For elite firms with ties to big banks, the first half of 2024 has been fruitful for corporate transactions. Sainsbury’s banking business was sold to NatWest Group last month, with Linklaters and A&O Shearman advising, while Addleshaw Goddard, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Paul Hastings led on Co-operative Bank’s sale to Coventry Building Society in an […]
The former bosses of Melrose Industries is listing a new company – Rosebank – on the alternative investment market (AIM), with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advising on the float. Simpson Thacher partner Adam Signy has long advised Melrose in its acquisition deals and is at the helm of this listing along with partner Lucy Gillett. […]
Mayer Brown has followed hotly on Paul Hastings’ heels to strengthen significantly in Paris, hiring 30 lawyers from a local firm. The Lawyer understands that Mayer Brown is hiring two-thirds of the total lawyer headcount at French firm Ayache to bolster its transactional team in the French capital. Altogether, The Lawyer understands that seven Ayache corporate/M&A […]
Baker McKenzie and Linklaters have sealed an agreement between brewing company Carlsberg and soft drinks producer Britvic, after the latter rejected two acquisition offers from its suitor. The £3.3bn takeover comes after Britvic rejected Carlsberg’s last offer of £3.1bn on 11 June as well as a first offer that was made on 6 June. Bakers […]
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom took the lead role for BlackRock on its acquisition of private markets data solutions provider Preqin for £2.55bn. The deal sees BlackRock acquire Preqin to expand Aladdin, the private equity giant’s portfolio management software. The deal will bring Preqin’s data and research tools together with Aladdin’s workflow capabilities to […]
Slaughter and May, Kirkland & Ellis and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison have together banked nearly £25m on EP Group’s (EP) takeover of Royal Mail’s parent company, IDS. EP, owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, announced its intention to acquire IDS just over a month ago in May. The bid valued the distribution company […]
Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case have taken leading roles on KKR’s €1.3bn (£1.1bn) purchase of Superstruct Entertainment from Providence Equity Partners. The Kirkland team leading for KKR was steered by corporate partners Alvaro Membrillera and Pelin Demirdere Eski, with the support of associates Jef Dupont, Sophie Thomas and Bonian Wu. Debt finance aspects […]
Pinsent Masons is acting for England’s largest winemaker on a potential sale that could see the company de-list from the alternative investment market (AIM) less than a year after its float. Chapel Down Group, the official English sparkling wine sponsor of Ascot Racecourse, is conducting a strategic review of its funding options including a potential […]
Linklaters and A&O Shearman have capitalised on longstanding client relationships, acting on a deal in which Sainsbury’s banking business is sold to NatWest Group. Linklaters is acting for Sainsbury’s Bank with the team led by corporate partner Charles Turner, TMT partner Richard Cumbley and corporate managing associate Matthew Halliday. A&O Shearman is acting for NatWest, […]