A&O Shearman

"This landmark transaction represents the largest digital infrastructure deal in Italy in the last 5 years. The complex nature and scale of the deal, demonstrate the expertise across the team. We are grateful for the opportunity to have supported the lenders. Congratulations to all parties involved.” Annette Kurdian, partner. The multi-jurisdictional team advising on the transaction was led by partners Annette Kurdian and Pietro Scarfone, supported by senior associates James Ashcroft and Diogo Casqueiro and associates Leonie Adam, Ruby-Jane van Zyl and Valentina Calò. Counsels Elia Ferdinando Clarizia and Antonio Ferri and associates Marta Avara and Doris Ceoromila also advised on the deal. Read more here: https://ow.ly/7Zx350SAo40

Co-operative Bank issued its first covered bond since 2011, marking their first covered bond issuance in 13 years and their first asset-backed transaction since 2019. “It has been a pleasure to assist Co-operative Bank’s team on the restructuring of their covered bond program and the subsequent issuance. This transaction marks the successful and welcome return of Co-operative Bank as an active covered bond issuer and underscores A&O Shearman as the pre-eminent adviser in relation to UK covered bonds.” Partner, Daniel Hill led the team alongside senior associate Graeme MacDonald and associate and Helen Stephen. Read more here: https://ow.ly/syo250SzF00

EQT looks to us to advise on the sale of Idealista, the leading real estate platform in Spain, Italy, and Portugal to Cinven in a transaction valued at EUR 2.9 billion. EQT originally acquired Idealista in 2020 in a deal that valued the firm at EUR 1.3 billion and will retain an 18 percent share in the company following the transaction. Iñigo del Val, lead partner said “We are very proud that EQT has once again trusted in us for such a relevant deal for them. We are delighted to have supported them in their successful journey with the company” Read more here: https://ow.ly/GLPh50SzBNQ #AOShearman

Four of our international arbitration partners have been recently appointed to the ICC International Court of Arbitration. The ICC Court is the world’s leading arbitration institute, helping to resolve disputes in international commercial and investment disputes. We are proud to contribute to the Court’s mission of fostering generational, gender and geographical diversity within its membership. Congratulations to Vice-President Marieke van Hooijdonk, and Members Sheila Ahuja, Jennifer Younan, and Guled Yusuf. #AOShearman

Our global team worked on a series of financing transactions by International Workplace Group plc. This included their inaugural EUR575 million investment grade bond and entry into a USD720m revolving credit facility. “The transaction, which involved several specialist teams from A&O Shearman across the U.K., the U.S. and Luxembourg as well as co-ordination with local teams in Jersey and Switzerland, really showcased our ability to execute complex, cross-border transactions at speed.” Jane Glancy, partner Read more here:https://ow.ly/oOg450SxFFZ

Our cross-border team advised GSK on the restructuring of its mRNA vaccine collaboration with CureVac under which GSK acquires full rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize globally mRNA candidate vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, including combinations. Partner, Nigel Parker said: “This transaction was a great example of our ability to deliver a multi-jurisdictional, sector-focused team, involving specialists across the UK, Belgium and Germany. It was a privilege to support the GSK team.” Read more about the transaction here: https://ow.ly/mL7i50Svje1

We advised Providence Equity Partners and Globeducate on the porting of Globeducate’s debt facilities, and establishment of new facilities, in connection with the acquisition by Wendel of an approximately 50% stake in Globeducate. Providence, a premier private equity firm, originally acquired Globeducate in 2017 and has achieved double-digit average annual revenue growth under Providence’s ownership. Globeducate operates a leading network of K-12 education groups, with 65 premium bilingual and international schools and online programs across 10+ countries. Nick Hallam, sponsor-side leveraged finance partner led the team, alongside senior associates Xinni Lim and Yasmin Joharchi, and associate Maaya Sachdev. This transaction follows a recent line of deals where our sponsor-side leveraged finance team has advised on portable financings and porting existing facilities on a certain funds basis. Read more here: https://ow.ly/c6ub50SuHHj

We supported e& enterprise, on the acquisition of GlassHouse, a Turkish-based IT infrastructure services company. “We are delighted to have worked with the e& enterprise team again, supporting them on this strategic acquisition which underlines their ambition to enter high-growth markets.” Ben Ward, head of M&A/Corporate for the META (Middle East, Turkey and Africa) region. The team was led by Ben Ward and included Tom Butcher, Grace H., Ruqaiya Binalsheikh Ali, Lydia Challen, Hugh Hollman, Edyta Stopyra, Sonal Dingri, Jack Rossiter and Aysha Alawadhi as well as partner Caner Elmas and associates Berkan Tomay, Ozan Geyik, Ipek Ince, Nur Ertekin and Ozge Danaci from the Gedik & Eraksoy team. Read more here: https://ow.ly/Rs8T50StxEh

As Pride Month comes to a close, we reflect on the remarkable events and initiatives that have taken place across our global firm. From Ho Chi Minh City to Belfast, our global teams have been at the forefront of these celebrations, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion through a series of impactful campaigns and activities including attending Washington DC Pride, hosting an event to explore LGBTQ+ allyship in the workplace in Singapore while colleagues from our Madrid and Dublin offices sat down with award winning LGBTQ+ correspondent Ben Hunte to explore global LGBTQ+ inclusion. To round off Pride month, we want to share the hopes for the future of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion from our colleagues across their respective countries and regions. #AFutureWhere #Pride #AOShearman

The push towards a sustainable future is reshaping the business landscape. It is increasingly necessary to consider the implications of the transition for your organisation’s overall strategy, business model and value chain. Mandatory transition plan-related disclosures will soon become the new normal across a growing number of jurisdictions. Read our latest article where we provide a legal steer on the complexities of transition planning, disclosures and carbon credits: https://ow.ly/vUH350Sr1Bz #AOShearman