Macfarlanes has advised leading acquirer and manager of consumer debt Cabot Credit Management (CCM) on its acquisition of Marlin Financial Group, a leading specialised debt buyer, for £295m.

The transaction brings together two complementary businesses, with Marlin's robust operation in collecting on non-performing debt and CCM's success with semi-performing debt.  Marlin will form part of the CCM group but continue to operate under the existing Marlin brand.

The Macfarlanes team was led by corporate M&A partner Luke Powell and head of M&A Ian Martin, with support from senior solicitors Justin Hope and Chris Daniel.  Luke Powell comments: "It was great to be involved again for Cabot so soon after working on the original acquisition by JC Flowers and Encore Capital's subsequent acquisition of a controlling interest.  It's a time of rapid development for Cabot and the consumer debt purchase market generally and it's been good to assist in that process."