The transfer of further shares in Jimmy Choo PLC today by JAB Luxury GmbH, the luxury goods investment arm of J.A. Benckiser, marks the final phase of the recent Jimmy Choo IPO. Shares in Jimmy Choo began trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange plc on 22 October 2014.

Freshfields advised Jimmy Choo PLC on its IPO, group reorganisation and refinancing. Jimmy Choo PLC is a new client for the firm, following a pitch process earlier this year.

Corporate partner Chris Mort led the Freshfields team advising on the transaction, together with corporate partner Sarah Murphy on US aspects and banking partner Alex Mitchell on the refinancing of the group. In-house legal advice was provided by Hannah Merritt, the Global Legal Director of Jimmy Choo PLC.

Commenting on the transaction, Chris said, ‘It has been a real pleasure to help the Jimmy Choo and JAB Luxury teams on this significant step for them both. Seeing the company complete a successful offering, at a time of considerable volatility in both the luxury sector and the equity markets generally, is a real testament to the strength of the management team and the Jimmy Choo brand.’

Freshfields’ work on the IPO is a further example of the strength of the firm’s equity capital markets practice. Freshfields has advised more issuers on their London and European IPOs than any other law firm over recent years and has taken on several new FTSE clients as a result.