May Smith

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has advised Lloyd’s Register (‘LR’), a global provider of maritime professional services and digital solutions, on its acquisition of Ocean Technologies Group (‘OTG’) from private equity firm Oakley Capital. OTG is a leading trusted provider of human capital management and operational software dedicated to the global maritime industry. The acquisition of OTG and its combination with LR’s digital business will create one of the largest software platforms in maritime, helping to accelerate the digital transformation of the industry and allowing LR to provide a complete end-to-end energy transition solution for its clients. The transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and is expected to complete during the fourth quarter of 2024. The Freshfields team is being led by corporate partner Ziyad Nassif, who previously advised Lloyd’s Register on the acquisition of leading voyage compliance, safety and environmental solutions provider, OneOcean. Partners Andrew Murphy, Jill Gatehouse, Jonathan Kelly, Martin McElwee, May Smith and Toby Bingley are also advising on the transaction.

Sep 2

1 min

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (“Freshfields”) is advising Warburg Pincus on the proposed sale of Vodeno, a provider of comprehensive cloud-based banking platform services, and Aion Bank, a digital bank based in Belgium. Vodeno and Aion Bank combine to provide end-to-end Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) for both financial and non-financial companies across Europe. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval. The Freshfields team is being led by Private Capital partner Patrick Ko, together with counsel Mac Mackenzie on regulatory matters and partners Tom McGrath on competition matters, May Smith on tax matters and Holly Insley on employment matters.

Jul 26

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields are advising Property Finder International Ltd. (Property Finder), the Middle East’s leading property portal, on a new $170 million investment from the Mubadala Investment Company, alongside another UAE sovereign wealth fund and BECO Capital. Mubadala and the UAE sovereign wealth fund will each invest $75 million, with BECO Capital committing $20 million. This commitment follows the $525 million investment led by funds advised by Permira, with significant participation from Blackstone Growth in 2025. Property Finder has also raised a further $250 million in debt financing from Ares Management and HSBC. The Freshfields cross-border team was led by partners Julian Pritchard and Maria Ledeneva, counsel Adam Halewood, senior associate Stephanie Paterson and associates Chelsea Burns, Brandon Thompson and Lisha Xu. Financing advice was provided by partner Toby Bingley, senior associates Christina Banz and Sonam Cheema, and associate Joanna Ma. Antitrust advice was provided by partner Paul Van Den Berg, principal associate Jan Jeram and associate Gisela Santos. Tax advice was provided by partner May Smith and associate Ian Galvin.

Jan 29

1 min

Freshfields is advising international private equity firm Cinven on its majority investment in Grant Thornton UK, one of the UK’s leading diversified professional services firms offering audit, tax, and advisory services. Founded in 1904, Grant Thornton is one of the UK’s largest professional services firms, with over 240 partners and 5,500 employees across more than 20 offices. Cinven’s investment will support Grant Thornton’s strategy to drive growth through technology enablement, talent development, and expanding its leadership in the professional services sector. The transaction is subject to partner ratification, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions. A cross-practice Freshfields team in London advising Cinven was led by private capital partners James Scott and Alastair Brown, with leveraged finance partner Aled Batey leading on debt financing. James Smethurst provided financial regulatory advice, while merger control and FDI matters were handled by Martin McElwee. Partner David Mendel advised on people and reward workstreams, Dawn Heath on pensions matters and May Smith led on tax matters.

Nov 21

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising Hargreaves Lansdown plc (‘Hargreaves Lansdown’) on the recommended final cash acquisition by a consortium comprised of CVC Private Equity Funds, Nordic Capital XI Delta, SCSp (acting through its general partner, Nordic Capital XI Delta GP SARL) and Platinum Ivy B 2018 RSC Limited of the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Hargreaves Lansdown. Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK’s largest savings and investment platform for retail investors, with almost 1.9 million clients and £155.3 billion savings and investments, having been founded over 40 years ago. The acquisition values Hargreaves Lansdown at approximately £5.4 billion on a fully diluted basis and is expected to become effective in the first quarter of 2025, subject to conditions including the receipt of shareholder approval and certain regulatory approvals. The Freshfields team advising on the deal is being led by partners Claire Wills and Stephen Hewes, alongside counsel Meredith Bayley and associate Nikki Willson, and also includes partners Alice Greenwell, Martin McElwee, James Smethurst, May Smith, counsel Sam Withnall and associates Christopher Chan, Martin Dickson, Lily Hilton, Elizabeth Lien, Charles Smye, Brandon Thompson and Rhianna Thornton-Reid.

Aug 9

1 min