Taylor Wessing has advised Inflexion Private Equity on its backing of the management buyout of leading Dutch IT outsourcing training business Calco Group BV.

The cross-border deal brought together the private equity teams from Taylor Wessing UK and Taylor Wessing Netherlands.  The firm’s UK team was led by partner James Goold with senior counsel Matt Harrison and associate Catherine Williams, while the Dutch team was led by partners Edwin de Rooij, Evert-Jan Osnabrugge and Elmar Dijkstra with associate Willem Thijssen.

James Goold said:

Pinsent Masons has advised sustainable energy systems developer Arenko Cleantech on its investment to build one of the world's largest energy storage facilities.

The new energy storage system, a 41MW battery storage project supplied by General Electric (GE) will provide affordable, on-demand power equivalent to the needs to 100,000 UK homes. Pinsent Masons worked to negotiate the strategic alliance between Arenko and GE.

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has advised state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) on the issue of US$1 billion bonds exchangeable into shares of Hong Kong- listed Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC).   

The zero coupon exchangeable bonds due 2025 are supported by a securities lending agreement and a keepwell deed, and will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It marks CSIC's first public transaction into the overseas capital markets.

DLA Piper has advised leading real estate investment firm Harrison Real Estate Capital LLC, on its joint venture with Crosslane Property Group UK, a real estate company specialising in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) across the UK and Continental Europe.

The JV will jointly develop four student accommodation properties totalling 1,267 beds in Leeds, Coventry, Portsmouth and Swansea.

DLA Piper has advised LabTech Investments Ltd, a technology and property co-working company, on the acquisition of the freehold of BUPA House, WC1.

This acquisition follows the announcement in October that it would be developing its Bloomsbury portfolio to create co-working spaces for SME businesses. BUPA House is situated next to a large existing holding in the Holborn area, which was purchased by Lab Tech Investments in September 2016 for approximately £300 million.

Charles Russell Speechlys has advised a private investor on its disposal of 5 Chancery Lane, London. The property was exchanged for a consideration of £76 million.

The property comprises over 80,000 sq ft of office and ancillary accommodation which is fully let to law firm Lewis Silkin on a lease expiring in March 2023.

Burges Salmon advised HSBC Bank and Bank Leumi (UK) on funding for £125m revolving credit facility to Audley Group.

Burges Salmon has advised HSBC Bank and Bank Leumi (UK) on a £125m revolving credit facility to Audley Group to refinance existing facilities with AIG, Bank Leumi and Coutts and to fund existing and future developments of Audley Group's retirement villages.

Bird & Bird has advised Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA) on a 10 year agreement valued at up to A$184 million to supply managed satellite services to NBN Co Limited (nbn). It also advised Speedcast on the agreements with Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ:GILT) to supply the underlying platform.

Thomas Jones, a Partner in Bird & Bird's Sydney office, led the legal team advising Speedcast on this ground-breaking transaction, with support from Michael Stojanovic (Senior Associate).

Thomas Jones, Partner at Bird & Bird explains:

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised Johnson Matthey on the sale of its UK automotive battery systems business, a subsidiary that specializes in high-voltage automotive grade battery systems for electric and hybrid vehicles, to Cummins Inc.

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised EQT VII portfolio company Piab, a Sweden-based vacuum pump developer, on the acquisition of FEBA AUTOMATION & Modulare Systeme GmbH (FEBA Automation).