The Freshfields team advising Aberdeen was led by corporate partners Julian Long and Claire Wills and senior associate Keir MacLennan.

Freshfields is advising Aberdeen Asset Management on its recommended all-share merger with Standard Life. The merger, which is valued at approximately £11 billion, was announced on 6 March 2017 and will be implemented through a share for share for share Scheme of Arrangement. With £660 billion in total assets under administration, the combined group is expected to rank as the UK’s largest active asset manager, and the second largest in Europe.

 Aberdeen shareholders will own approximately 33 per cent. of the combined group. The merger is conditional on regulatory and antitrust approvals and is expected to complete in late 2017.

The Freshfields team advising Aberdeen was led by corporate partners Julian Long and Claire Wills and senior associate Keir MacLennan. Partner David Rouch advised on regulatory aspects. Antitrust advice was provided by partner Martin McElwee, with employment and pensions partner Alice Greenwell advising on employment aspects. The Freshfields team worked closely with Scottish lawyers Maclay Murray & Spens, led by Guy Norfolk.