Osborne Clarke has advised Millgate on its merger with Brentwood-headquartered Countryside.  The Osborne Clarke team was led by Head of Markets at Osborne Clarke, Partner Greg Leyshon who was assisted by Associate Director Rebecca Clarke and Senior Associate Vicky Dudding.

David Simpson, MD of Millgate comments:

“This is a significant transaction for Countryside and Millgate and in the context of the wider market and we were delighted with the advice we received from Osborne Clarke. Greg and the team from OC worked seamlessly with our financial advisers Rothschild and Quercus Corporate Finance and the team here at Millgate, to deliver a great result”.

Greg Leyshon comments “ This was a great deal for Millgate and Countryside and a significant transaction for the Osborne Clarke team. As the market continues to turn a corner in the UK, transactions such as this will become increasingly common. OC advises some of the UK’s most high profile clients in the Real Estate industry, including the majority of the UK’s national house builders such as Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, Linden and Persimmon.”

The Osborne Clarke team and financial adviser Rothschild advised the selling shareholders of Millgate. Ashurst acted for Countryside.

Head of the Real Estate and Infrastructure Sector at Osborne Clarke, Conrad Davies comments:

“Osborne Clarke’s Real Estate sector team is perfectly positioned to advise on all aspects of public and private M&A activity as well as the full range of property development, investment, finance and commercial legal matters. Our international sector approach means we can offer fully integrated legal advice across every one of these areas allowing us to service all of our clients’ needs, no matter the size or complexity. ”

Last year highlights from Osborne Clarke’s Real Estate sector team include:

    Advising Topland on their acquisition of the Menzies Hotels portfolio out of administration for £85m. The 12 four-star hotels across the UK, including Flitwick Manor in Bedfordshire and the 212-bedroom Menzies Aberdeen Airport.
    Forming the Palmer Real Estate Value Fund, a real estate opportunity fund, to acquire the debt secured over the £225m mixed use Finzels Reach scheme in Bristol.
    Advising Cattolica Assicurazioni on the acquisition of Palazzo Biandrà, one of the most prestigious office buildings in Milan, for €100 million.