Private Equity

The UK private equity industry remains the largest in Europe and second only to the USA worldwide. For unquoted companies in search of capital, private equity financing offers an attractive medium to long-term option. Ideally suited to start-up and developing businesses it can also provide the springboard from which to launch a management buy-out.

Tougher financial markets, along with increased industry regulation, will be features of the sector for the foreseeable future but private equity will continue to have a key role in the success of the UK economy and will be central to market recovery both locally and globally.

Why we are different

We understand the commercial issues that underpin deals: the financial models and return rates on which an equity provider focuses; the cash requirements and business pressures of investee companies; the aspirations and fears of owner-managers. They are all parts of the complicated picture that determines whether any deal will succeed or not. We manage all of these. We are relationship lawyers who fundamentally understand our clients' needs, advising and guiding as required.

In addition to our core UK practice, there is a distinctly international perspective to our work. We are culturally aware and have the logistical know-how to handle multi-jurisdictional deals.

We believe our results speak for themselves – a strong record of completed deals and returning clients.

Services

The Group advises on all aspects of private equity, acting for private equity funds, debt lenders, investee companies and management teams on both UK and international transactions.

We are expert in structuring and negotiating all forms of private equity investments, such as:

• start-up investments
• MBO/MBI
• public-to-private transactions
• employee share and incentive schemes
• corporate business acquisitions and disposals
• equity and debt restructurings

We also have strong specialist groups in the areas of finance and banking, tax, commercial, employment and IP, offering transactional and advisory support.

Experience

Advised Quotient Bioscience Group on its £35 million fundraising from US private equity house TA Associates Inc. and its acquisition of:

• Amersham Radiolabelling Services, the radiochemical custom synthesis operations of GE Healthcare;
• the Phase 1 Clinical Trials business of Charles River Clinical Services Edinburgh Limited; and
• Pharmaceutical Profiles Group Limited and BioDynamics Research Limited, a leading specialist provider of metabolism, bioanalytical and radiochemistry services to the world-wide pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Advised Young Associates Limited, a UK based private equity house, in relation to the disposal of its interests in portfolio company, Eurotel Holdings, to Inflexion Private Equity.

Advised the exiting management of Advanced Power AG in connection with 3i Group plc's investment in the company.

Advised the management team, backed by Credit Suisse, on the management buy-in of Park Finance Holdings Limited and subsequent equity restructuring.

Contacts

Kevin McCarthy
Telephone: +44(0)20 7440 7465
E-mail: kevin.mccarthy@mishcon.com

Jonathan Berman
Telephone: +44(0)20 7440 7099
E-mail: jonathan.berman@mishcon.com