Public and private M&A
Ben advises clients on a broad spectrum of M&A transactions, including public takeover offers and private company asset or shares deals, often with cross border elements. Ben has been ranked for mid-market M&A in Chambers UK and some of his key transactions include:
Lloyds Bank and RBS disposal of rail assets portfolio
Advising Lloyds Bank and RBS on the sale of the Voyager passenger trains fleet to Beacon Rail, a division of JP Morgan.
Uniq Plc’s public takeover by Greencore
Advising the Pension Protection Fund, the largest shareholder in foods manufacturer Uniq Plc, on a disposal process for its stake culminating in the recommended £113m public takeover offer by Greencore.
Vistra Group acquisition of Jordans
Advising Vistra Group, a leading global trust, fiduciary, fund and corporate services provider, on its acquisition of Jordans, one of the largest UK company formation agents and providers of corporate and commercial legal expertise and compliance services.
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Public and private M&A
Joint ventures
Ben has extensive experience in advising on joint ventures, whether it be their formation, termination, the exit or entry of a party or the transfer of stakes between the existing parties. He has advised on joint ventures involving financial and operating parties. Key transactions include:
Transpetrol Shipping investment in Avance Gas joint venture
Advising Transpetrol Shipping on its investment into Avance Gas, an existing joint venture between Stolt-Nielsen and Sungas, to create one of the largest VLGC fleets; subsequently advising Transpetrol Shipping on its exit from the joint venture.
Welsh Power Group joint venture with Octopus Investments
Advising Welsh Power on a joint venture with Octopus Investments to build and operate a series of sub-25MW power plants across the UK, now a market leader in ‘peaking power’.
Beeson Properties joint venture with the LIA to build major hotel
Advising family owned Beeson Properties on its joint venture with the Libyan Investment Authority to build a major new Crown Plaza hotel at Maplecross.
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Joint ventures
Private equity and venture capital
Ben has advised UK and international venture capital and mid-market private equity houses, as well as management teams and corporates transacting with venture capital/private equity houses and their investee companies. Key transactions include:
Fitness First sale by Oaktree Capital
Advising the management team of Fitness First UK, a leading UK gym chain, on its sale by Oaktree Capital to DW Sports following a competitive auction process.
Venture capital funding rounds for Lovefilm and sale to Amazon
Advising VC house Arts Alliance on its initial investment in Lovefilm and advising Lovefilm on various stages of its growth through to its ultimate sale to Amazon.com.
Disposal by Vincent Tchenguiz of stake in listed private equity fund
Advising funds connected with tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz on the sale of a major stake in Aberdeen Private Equity Fund, a listed private equity fund managed by Aberdeen Asset Management.
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Private equity and venture capital
Restructuring and insolvency
Ben advises on the corporate aspects of solvent and insolvent restructurings and acts for corporates, directors, insolvency practitioners and other stakeholders. Key transactions include:
Uniq Plc’s ground-breaking pension deficit-for-equity swap
Advising the Pension Protection Fund on the innovative restructuring of Uniq Plc’s £400 million pension deficit whereby its pension funds took a 90% equity stake in return for releasing the deficit.
Disposal by receivers of Allco’s shipping fleet to Lomar Corporation
Advising Ferrier Hodgson as receivers of Australian listed Allco Finance Group on the disposal of its 26 vessel shipping fleet to Lomar Corporation in a deal valued at $325 million.
Acquisition by Baker Tilly of RSM Tenon Plc’s business and assets
Advising Baker Tilly LLP on its acquisition of the business and assets of London listed RSM Tenon Plc via a pre-pack administration to create the UK’s seventh largest accountancy firm.
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Restructuring and insolvency
Corporate
Ben has extensive corporate experience focusing on public and private M&A, joint ventures, capital raising, restructurings and general corporate advice, often with cross border elements. He advises in a wide range of industries, particularly consumer, energy, pharmaceuticals and transportation. Key transactions include:
HNA Group acquisition of TIP Trailers from GE
Advising HNA Group, the Fortune 500 Chinese conglomerate, on its €480 million acquisition from GE of the TIP Trailers logistics business with operations across 16 European jurisdictions.
Uniq Plc’s public takeover by Greencore
Advising the Pension Protection Fund, the largest shareholder in foods manufacturer Uniq Plc, on a disposal process for its stake culminating in the recommended £113 million public takeover offer by Greencore.
Transpetrol Shipping investment in Avance Gas joint venture
Advising Transpetrol Shipping on its investment into Avance Gas, an existing joint venture between Stolt-Nielsen and Sungas, to create one of the largest VLGC fleets. Subsequently advised Transpetrol Shipping on its exit from the joint venture.
Welsh Power Group joint venture with Octopus Investments
Advising Welsh Power on a joint venture with Octopus Investments to build and operate a series of sub-25MW power plants across the UK, now a market leader in ‘peaking power’.
Venture capital funding rounds for Lovefilm and sale to Amazon
Advising VC house Arts Alliance on its initial investment in Lovefilm and advising Lovefilm on various stages of its growth through to its ultimate sale to Amazon.com.
Disposal by receivers of Allco’s shipping fleet to Lomar Corporation
Advising Ferrier Hodgson as receivers of Australian listed Allco Finance Group on the disposal of its 26 vessel shipping fleet to Lomar Corporation in a deal valued at $325 million.
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Corporate