William Buchanan

Willkie represents Insight Partners on the proposed sale of its majority stake in AMCS, a global leader in performance and sustainability software to resource-intensive industries, to EQT Private Equity. EQT Private Equity will invest from EQT X, its flagship private equity fund, and EQT Future, its impact-driven, longer-hold fund. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Ireland, AMCS is a supplier of cloud-based and AI-enabled planning, performance, safety and sustainability focused software for waste management, recycling and other resource-intensive industries. With offices in Europe, the USA, and Australia, AMCS is a global market leader with over 1,300 mission-driven team members. Willkie previously advised Insight Partners on its initial investment in AMCS in 2015. Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies. It has invested in more than 800 companies worldwide and has over $80 billion in regulatory assets under management, as of December 31, 2023. The Willkie team is led by partners Morgan Elwyn and Philip Coletto and included partners Daniel Gendron and David Kupka, counsel Timothy Sawyer and Jonathan Konoff, and associates William Buchanan, Isi Ijagbone, Lachlan Johnson and Chloe Szczerbiak.

Aug 14

1 min

Willkie recently advised Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) on its investment in Improve International Group in partnership with the company’s management team. Founded in 1998, Improve International is a world leader in veterinary postgraduate training and education. Improve International works with veterinary professionals globally to upskill them, while also providing content and training for ongoing Continuing Professional Development requirements. Improve International leverages state-of-the-art training facilities with engaging digital content to deliver courses in 20 countries and in nine different languages. Headquartered in Swindon, UK, Improve International has more than 170 employees, with offices in Germany, Spain, Portugal, the United States and France. Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm that currently manages $10.2 billion of assets and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The Willkie team was led by partner David Arnold and included associates William Buchanan, Megan Gairns and Julia Radaszkiewicz and trainee solicitor Jung Eun (Anny) Park.

Jul 25

1 min

Willkie advised Platinum Equity on the acquisition of Sunrise Medical, a world leader in advanced assistive mobility solutions, from Nordic Capital. The firm also advised Platinum on financing for the transaction. Sunrise Medical develops, designs, manufactures, and distributes manual and power wheelchairs, power assist products, pediatric and geriatric therapeutic devices, mobility scooters, seating and positioning systems as well as daily living aids and other home medical equipment. Headquartered in Malsch, Germany, with North American headquarters in Fresno, California, Sunrise Medical has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and China. Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies. The Willkie deal team was led by partner Nils Röver with partners Gavin Gordon and Michael Ilter, counsel Jacob Ahme and associate William Buchanan. The team also included counsel Sebastian Brenner and associates Nils Bock, Denise Kammerer and Jasper Wentz. The financing was led by partners Cristopher Greer, Daniel Gendron and Jennifer Tait, and included partner David Griffiths, counsel Timothy Sawyer, associate Alec Young and trainee solicitor Theodora Oancea.

Jun 11

1 min

On June 29, Keysight Technologies Inc. announced it had entered into exclusive negotiations with ESI Group’s main shareholders to acquire a controlling interest in ESI Group (Euronext Paris). The shareholders include Willkie client, Briarwood Capital Partners, a New York-based hedge fund. The binding offer from Keysight will, subject to customary conditions, lead to the acquisition (expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2023) of a controlling interest in ESI Group at a price per share of €155 in cash. The acquisition values ESI Group’s entire issued and unissued share capital at €913 million on a fully diluted basis. Founded in 1973, ESI Group is a leading innovator of virtual prototyping solutions in automotive, aerospace, energy and heavy machinery end markets. The Willkie team comprised London partner Gavin Gordon, Paris partners Fabrice Veverka and Gregory de Saxcé, and associate William Buchanan in London.

Jun 30

1 min

Willkie advised Insight Partners in its Series B investment in Sylvera, a UK-headquartered carbon data provider. Announced on July 18, Sylvera raised $57 million in Series B funding from Balderton Capital and existing investors including Willkie client Insight Partners. The new investment will be used to fund Sylvera’s expansion plans in the US. The Willkie team was led by London private equity partner Philip Coletto with assistance from associate William Buchanan.

Jul 18

1 min