Strong start for DWF dealmakers in Scotland

Strong start for DWF dealmakers in Scotland

The Scottish corporate team at DWF has acted on deals totalling over £175m in the first six weeks of 2015 - highlighting a significant uplift in deal activity.

The team has advised on a range of high-profile deals, including acting for the sellers and management team on the £20m PDG Helicopters MBO, backed by LDC, advising Newbridge-headquartered Exova on its strategic acquisition of Environmental Evaluationand advising AIM listed Mattioli Woods on the acquisition of the pension administration business ofPS Employee Benefits Limited.

Some of the key deals include:

  • Acting for Yingli Green Energy International AG in the acquisition, development, financing and subsequent disposal of a 20MW solar farm for a total consideration of £23m, led by David Gilchrist
  • Acting for Apex Hotels Limited on its £10.5m acquisition of Rossmark Hotels, led by Alasdair Peacock and Rachel Gervaise
  • Advising Capita plc on its £35m acquisition from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills of Construction line, the supplier of pre-tender information and pre-verified checks for businesses in the construction industry, led by Paul Pignatelli (pictured).
  • Mr Pignatelli, corporate partner at DWF, said: “The uplift in deal activity is testimony to the superb team we have in place and our loyal and active client base, but it also signals confidence from Scottish businesses, which is great news for the M&A market generally.

    “Our pipeline looks good and, despite some other cautionary economic indicators, there is a genuine hope in the market that the activity is sustainable.”

    Chris McLauchlan and Gary MacDonald recently joined the corporate and banking practice from senior roles at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer andPinsent Masons, respectively.

    In addition, Ben Powell recently joined the construction, infrastructure and projects team (CIP) in Edinburgh as a partner from Tods Murray.

    The recent investment takes the total number of partners to 29 across both the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices.

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