DLA Piper has advised Ares Management Limited and GE Capital in their capacities as Arrangers along with HSBC Bank plc, Northwestern Mutual and Citibank N.A (the other members of the Senior Club), on the provision of a senior financing package in connection with Exponent Private Equity's acquisition of a majority interest in the family owned Big Bus Tours Group.

Big Bus Tours is the largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours in the world, providing sightseeing tours in 16 cities across three continents including London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Hong Kong, Budapest, Dubai and Shanghai, via a fleet of more than 300 buses. Big Bus Tours was formed by the merger of two established sightseeing tour businesses: The Big Bus Company Ltd (based in London) and Les Cars Rouges (based in Paris). The two businesses, each with over 20 years of successful tour experience, decided to combine their expertise, creating Big Bus Tours in May 2011.

The DLA Piper team was led by partner Alex Griffith who acted as senior transaction counsel supported by senior associate Smridhi Gulati and associates Laura Burke and Richard Normington. The Super Senior term and revolving facility advice was provided by UK Head of Finance & Projects, Philip Butler and Daniel Hendon.

Alex Griffith said: "We are delighted to have been involved in Exponent's acquisition of such a great business working alongside our longstanding clients Ares Management Limited and GE Capital as well as new clients on another multi-tranche funding structure."