Sidley advised Blackbaud, Inc., the world’s largest cloud software company powering social good, on its agreement to acquire UK-based online fundraising services provider, JustGiving™, whose online social giving platform has played a powerful role in the growth of peer-to-peer fundraising, for an aggregate purchase price of £95 million, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory review in the UK.

Simpson Thacher is representing affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate in connection with its proposed acquisition of all the issued units in Croesus Retail Trust (“CRT”). CRT is an SGX-listed Asia-Pacific retail business trust with a portfolio of commercial real estate assets located in Japan. The acquisition will be effected by way of a trust scheme in compliance with the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers. Unitholders will receive S$1.17 in cash per unit as scheme consideration, representing an implied equity value for CRT of approximately S$900.6 million.

On 13 June 2017, CliniHolding S.à r.l. (CliniSciences) acquired the entire stake in BIOTREND Chemicals AG (BIOTREND) from its founders. BIOTREND is a leading distributor of high-quality reagents and biochemicals for the life science research community in Switzerland, Germany and USA.

By taking on BIOTREND's locations in Zurich, Cologne (Germany) and Destin (Florida), CliniSciences aims at expanding its business activities in the respective markets.

AZ Swiss & Partners SA (Swiss subsidiary of the Azimut Group) signed an agreement to acquire the entire share capital of SDB Financial Solutions SA,a Swiss independent asset management company and fund distributor authorized by FINMA. With this second acquisition and given its organic growth strategy, AZ Swiss has achieved a total AuM of CHF 2bn following commencement of operations in July 2016.

We acted as legal counsel to Gasum in the increase of its shareholding in Skangas to 70%.

Following Gasum’s increase, the Norwegian Lyse Group will continue as a Skangas shareholder with a 30% stake. The increase in shareholding will strengthen Gasum’s position as the leading LNG provider and developer of the Nordic gas ecosystem.

Sonnedix Power Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “Sonnedix”), an independent solar energy producer that develops, builds, owns and operates photovoltaic power plants around the world, has announced the acquisition of Aloe Energy, a solar energy producer with an installed capacity of more than 67 MWp In France, from a consortium led by Ardian Infrastructure and Debiopharm Investment. Sonnedix is majority owned by institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Clifford Chance has advised Europcar, the European leader in vehicle rental services and a major player in mobility markets, on the signature of an agreement with Investindustrial to acquire Goldcar, Europe’s largest low cost car rental company.

The acquisition is subject to customary conditions precedent, including its approval by antitrust authorities, and is expected to close in the second half of the year 2017.

Clifford Chance has advised Bremer Kreditbank AG (BKB) on the acquisition of Allianz Deutschland AG's entire stake representing the amount of approximately 90.2% of the shares in Oldenburgische Landesbank AG (OLB). The corresponding agreement has been signed on Friday, 23 June 2017. The purchase price for the divested stake amounts to EUR 300 million. The remaining shares amounting to around 9.8% are held by private investors and employee shareholders, who will shortly be offered a voluntary takeover bid by BKB.

Paul Hastings has advised the Starwood Capital and Tunstall Real Estate Asset Management joint venture on the acquisition of the Pinnacle Group. Pinnacle Group is focused on UK housing-led regeneration projects in partnership with the public sector. Pursuant to the terms of the transaction, the existing senior management will remain in place.

Carlton is a highly respected regional brick manufacturer, operating from a 93-acre brickwork site based in Yorkshire.

Burges Salmon has advised Michelmersh Brick Holdings Plc on the acquisition of Carlton Main Brickworks Limited, the independent brick manufacturer.

A large cross-firm team from Burges Salmon, led by corporate partner Dominic Davis and associate Peter Dunn, advised Michelmersh on all legal aspects of the £31 million acquisition.