Charles Russell Speechlys has acted as the legal adviser to FPE Capital LLP (FPE) on its investment into Optimity Limited (Optimity), the internet service provider which is pioneering fixed-wireless access as an alternative to fibre.  FPE has invested alongside the existing management team and will inject a significant amount of fresh capital into the business.

Optimity supplies businesses with ultra-fast broadband and cloud services using a new technology that makes it faster and cheaper to connect to the internet compared to fibre leased line alternatives.  FPE will be working hand-in-hand with the management team to maintain high revenue growth, whilst allowing Optimity to invest in accelerating the expansion of its fixed wireless network and managed services.

FPE will take a significant stake alongside the management team, who will be the remaining investors in the business following the transaction.  John Trower, a senior experienced telecoms operator and advisor to Ofcom, will simultaneously be joining the business as non-executive chairman.  David Barbour and Llewellyn John of FPE will also join the board of Optimity.

Commenting on the transaction, Adam Crossley, a Partner in the Private Equity team at Charles Russell Speechlys, said: “We are delighted to have worked with FPE, completing their first investment following the spin-out from Stonehage Fleming Family & Partners and it was a pleasure working with the team at Optimity on this transaction.  This is the seventh transaction we have acted on for FPE and we look forward to continuing the strong relationship with them and working alongside the Optimity team going forward.”

Llewellyn John of FPE said “We are very pleased to have completed our latest investment into Optimity and to be backing the team to continue the impressive growth they have achieved over the past few years servicing the technology centre of London.  The team at Charles Russell Speechlys were a key participant in helping us achieve this goal, and they provided the high-quality, practical advice that we have come to expect over the past seven transactions we have completed together”

The Charles Russell Speechlys core team comprised Private Equity Partner Adam Crossley, Corporate Senior Associate, Richard Coleman and Corporate Associate, Lucy Scott.  Members of our Corporate Tax, Commercial, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and Employment groups were also involved in the transaction.