Clyde & Co has advised Babilou SAS on the merger of the Babilou nursery business in the UAE with the Blossom group of nurseries in the UAE.

Babilou SAS is part of the Babilou Group, which is the largest network of nurseries and childminding facilities in France and which had established its own nurseries, day care and early learning centres in Dubai prior to the merger.

In advising on this innovative transaction, the Clyde & Co team was able to leverage off their extensive experience in the education sector and strong local knowledge, having advised previously on numerous deals in the education space in the Middle East.  Clyde & Co supported Babilou SAS throughout the course of the transaction, including advising in respect of the regulatory and licensing framework, corporate structuring considerations and assisting with the negotiation and completion of the transaction documentation.

Xavier Ouvrard, Chief Executive Officer of Babilou MENA, commented: "We are delighted to have concluded the merger with an outstanding brand such as Blossom. We really appreciate the service provided by Clyde & Co and particularly valued their sector knowledge and commercial approach.  The team's dedication and willingness to go the extra mile throughout the course of the transaction were significant contributors to the successful completion of the deal within very challenging deadlines.

The Clyde & Co team was led by Naji Hawayek (Corporate Partner) who was assisted by Rajiv Nawbatt (Senior Associate - Corporate), James Marriner (Associate - Corporate) and Jacqueline Lewinton (Trainee Solicitor - Corporate), with additional specialist support provided by Samantha Ellaby (Senior Associate – Employment) and Carl Fennessy (Associate – Intellectual Property).

Clyde & Co has the largest corporate legal practice in the Middle East with 20 partners and over 70 experienced lawyers who have forged a reputation as a go-to firm for M&A and JV transactions. Clyde & Co has assisted clients in realising their investments, gaining access to new markets through organic growth/strategic acquisitions and in achieving their corporate objectives for more than 25 years in its key focus sectors of insurance, education, energy, healthcare and defence & security.