We advise on all types of strategic alliances including:
- equity investments
- cross holdings
- shareholder agreements
- joint ventures
- collaborations
- partnerships
- franchises
- R&D projects
- technology licences
- agency and distribution agreements.
We recognise the value that strategic alliances and joint ventures can offer. They present significant opportunities for companies to share market risk, develop joint IP and implement economies of scale and scope. However they can be highly complex and as such can easily lead to a loss of shareholder value if not structured in the most efficient way for both parties.
Stephenson Harwood delivers pragmatic and commercially focussed advice to assist clients in navigating through the entire joint venture process. Our priority throughout is to deliver the commercial objectives of the parties through a collaborative, constructive approach, whilst always protecting the interests of our clients.
We will work with you through all stages of the joint venture, from the structuring and negotiation stages, to the operation of the joint venture and its subsequent dissolution or sale, and assist you in managing the risks and resources of the joint venture and to develop a structure for maximum reward for the parties.
We have extensive experience of advising our clients on:
- tax structuring
- minority protections
- funding
- competition clearances
- employment and pensions
- regulatory concerns
- IP.
"We get a great service. They're responsive and big enough to cover different bases."
Chambers UK, 2022
Singapore Technologies Telemedia
We advised the Singapore-based global investor on a strategic investment in Virtus Data Centres, the UK's fastest growing data centre provider, via a joint venture with Brockton Capital.
SportsMEDIA Technology
Advising SportsMEDIA, a pioneer in real-time on-screen graphics for live sports and entertainment events, on its investment in FSBTechnology, a real-time sports betting technology supplier.
Peterson Group
We advised the Hong Kong real estate and private equity group on a series of joint ventures, including its joint venture with Resolution Property in a Manchester retail and entertainment development.
Transpetrol Shipping
We advised on its Avance Gas JV with Stolt Nielsen and Sungas, to create a nine VLGC vessel owner/operator, through the contribution of vessels in return for equity, and their subsequent exit from the JV.
AET
We advised AET, one of the world's largest tanker companies, on its JV with ADS Shipping to acquire two new DP shuttle vessels for US$300 million to be chartered to Statoil.
Hadley Shipping
We advised one of the JV partners in Foreland Shipping (the UK Ministry of Defence's strategic sealift provider) on the acquisition of the stakes of two of the other JV partners.
Welsh Power Group
We advised on their entry into a strategic partnership with Octopus venture capital, whereby Welsh Power would identify and develop a series of lower capacity power plants, and Octopus Investors would provide financial backing.
IDI
Our Paris office advised on a joint venture between IDI and Franco Compania Naviera SA relating to the acquisition and operation of bulk carrier vessels.
GDF Suez
Our Singapore office advised GDF Suez on its joint venture with Filinvest/Cyberzone Properties and all related aspects of its large district cooling project in Northgate Cyberzone, the Philippines.
Campana Group
We advised Campana Group and its founder on its sub-sea optic fibre cable project, to link Myanmar with Malaysia and Thailand, for further onward telecommunications connectivity.