A Travers Smith team, led by corporate finance partner Anthony Foster, advised Benchmark Holdings plc on its AIM IPO and institutional placing to raise £27.5 million (before expenses) for the company and £17.6m for existing shareholders. Total gross proceeds from the placing amounted to £45.1 million, making this the largest fundraising in the healthcare sector this year on AIM.

The team included senior associate Athene Blakeman (corporate) and senior counsel Deborah Lincoln (commercial, IP and technology).

Benchmark Holdings plc is an established international animal health, technical publishing and sustainability science business.

K&L Gates acted for Cenkos Securities plc, the nominated adviser.

Based on the placing price, Benchmark Holdings plc will have a market capitalisation of approximately £87.3 million on admission.