Gowling WLG's Corporate, Finance and Tax team has advised the existing shareholders of long-standing client Forest Holidays on a further management buy-out, led by Phoenix Equity Partners and supported by existing lead investor and Gowling WLG client Lloyds Development Capital.
Gowling WLG's top ranked investment funds team acted on the launch of Tufton Oceanic Assets Limited ("Tufton Oceanic").
Tufton Oceanic will invest in a diversified portfolio of second-hand commercial sea-going vessels. Its assets will be managed by Tufton Oceanic Ltd, a specialist fund manager in the maritime and energy markets which has, since 2013, invested circa US $965 million of capital into 54 vessels and, as at 30 June 2017, has circa US $1.3 billion of assets under management.
International legal business DWF has advised BGF in connection with its funding support for family-owned APS Group, the UK’s largest tomato grower to support its continued expansion.
International legal business DWF has advised Palatine Private Equity in connection with its investment in ZyroFisher, the leading cycling parts and accessories distributor, alongside mid-market private equity investor LDC as both firms provide the financial firepower to support the business's continued expansion strategy.
DLA Piper has advised a newly established fund named Enhanced Real Estate Series APAC II - China Outlets SCSp known as COMF, managed by TH Real Estate, on the fund's acquisition of a pipeline of designer outlet malls under the "Florentia Village" brand in China, closing on two malls in Wuqing and Shanghai to start. The fund has equity commitments of US$750 million, with a total capacity of US$1 billion with gearing, and is backed by Allianz, Gaw Capital Partners, TIAA General Account, a Frankfurt-based German asset management company and others.
DLA Piper has advised international investor consortium BFC Investment on its acquisition of Championship football club Barnsley FC, from Oakwell Holdings Limited.
The consortium is headed by Chien Lee and Pacific Media Group, led by Paul Conway and Grace Hung. Also investing in the consortium are Billy Beane and Neerav Parekh. Previous owners the Cryne family will retain an interest, continuing their 14-year association with the Club.
DLA Piper has advised Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (ASX: SOL) (WHSP) on their asset sale agreement for the sale of a portfolio of securities to Acorn Capital Investment Fund Limited (ASX: ACQ) (Acorn Capital).
Acorn Capital will acquire a portfolio of seven assets from WHSP, consisting of six unlisted and one ASX-listed assets, for approximately AU$7.6m.
The purchase price is proposed to be funded by the issue of ordinary shares in Acorn Capital, representing the largest shareholding in the fund.
Hamburg – The Swiss utility ewz, the public utility company of the City of Zurich, is further expanding its renewable energy portfolio by acquiring the two onshore wind farm projects "Autremencourt" and "Vihiersois" from Hamburg-based Nordex SE.
Munich – Munich-based eGym GmbH has been granted a loan of up to EUR 25 million by the European Investment Bank (EIB), with the actual financing being provided by the European Fund for Strategic Investments. The EFSI promotes the Juncker Plan, an investment programme aimed at stimulating growth in the European single market and, by doing so, creating jobs.
Munich – An international CMS team has advised listed company Mutares AG of Munich on the sale of engineering company A + F Automation + Fördertechnik GmbH, which is headquartered in the Westphalian town of Kirchlengern. The buyer is a fund advised by Swiss company CGS Management AG.