Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Cabot Square Capital on the sale of LDF to White Oak Global Advisors.

LDF is one of the largest independent finance providers for SMEs in the UK, catering to over 10,000 clients across a diversified set of industries.

Richard McDougall, Partner at Cabot Square Capital, commented: “Fenchurch fielded an experienced, highly committed and knowledgeable team with a good understanding of the industry and market participants. They provided high quality advice throughout the process and took a thoughtful approach to positioning the LDF business and the structure of the sale process, which resulted in a great outcome for the business and its shareholders.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised AXIS Capital (“AXIS”) on its recommended cash acquisition of Novae Group (“Novae”) for £478 million.

The acquisition combines a leading specialty Lloyd's franchise with a world-class international specialty (re)insurer, strengthening a broad, balanced and efficient global underwriting platform.

Albert Benchimol, President & CEO of AXIS, commented: “Fenchurch’s knowledge of the Lloyd’s sector and UK Takeover Code were critical contributions to our consummation of this transaction. We were well-served by the entire team which was highly engaged throughout the process.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Hargreave Hale, the UK based wealth manager and fund manager, on its sale to Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management (“CGWM”) for total consideration of £80m.

Hargreave Hale is one of the UK's leading investment management businesses, providing discretionary wealth management to more than 14,000 private clients, intermediaries and charities, as well as managing a first-class range of funds.

The transaction establishes a substantially enlarged wealth management operation in the UK and Europe for CGWM with over £18 billion in private client assets and £5 billion in fund management  assets.

Stuart Brookes, Joint Managing Director of Hargreave Hale, said: “Fenchurch’s deep wealth management sector expertise and intimate knowledge of the buyer universe were pivotal in enabling Hargreave Hale to select an attractive partner for our clients, employees and shareholders. We were impressed by the team’s dedication to this engagement.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised the shareholders of Lark Group on the merger with Aston Scott, backed by Bowmark Capital.

Founded in 1948, Lark Group is one of the UK’s pre-eminent independent insurance brokers, with specialist capabilities across commercial lines, mid to high net worth private clients and employee benefits, serving over 50,000 clients. The merger with Aston Scott will create one of the UK’s largest independent insurance brokers, controlling over £240m of GWP.

Graham Lark, Chairman of Lark Group, said: “Throughout the transaction, the professionalism and commitment shown by the Fenchurch team were exceptional. Fenchurch’s insight and senior level access into the insurance market ensured a highly satisfactory outcome for all of the shareholders, our colleagues and our clients.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Ryan Specialty Group (“RSG”) on the sale of Ryan Direct Group (“RDG”) to HPS Investment Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners.

RDG is a leading provider of insurance solutions to the UK general insurance industry with a particular expertise in the specialist personal lines sector.

Michael Rice, Managing Director of RSG, commented: “Fenchurch brought an intimate knowledge of the potential buyer universe for Ryan Direct Group and an in-depth understanding of the key valuation drivers for the business. Their clear guidance and strategic advice allowed us to execute a crisp sale process and deliver a successful outcome for all parties.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Primary Group on the sale of UK General to J.C. Flowers & Co. for an undisclosed consideration.

UK General is the UK’s largest personal lines MGA, offering specialist insurance products across the property, leisure & lifestyle, income protection, financial loss, motor financial, warranty, travel and personal accident categories.

Karen Beales, Managing Director of UK General, said: “Fenchurch’s in-depth knowledge of the personal lines insurance sector was critical in positioning the equity story for UK General. The level of senior engagement throughout the project was invaluable and helped ensure a successful outcome for all stakeholders in the business.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Unigestion on its acquisition of Akina Partners, the Zurich-based specialist private equity investment group. Akina manages $2.6 billion in funds of funds and managed accounts invested in small and mid-sized companies in Europe.

Akina will be integrated into Unigestion’s existing private equity business to create a leading private equity investment group with $6 billion in assets under management and 54 dedicated professionals.

Following completion, Unigestion’s total assets under management increased to more than $23 billion, of which private equity represents 25%. This expansion demonstrates Unigestion’s commitment to building a world-class multi-specialist institutional boutique asset management firm.

Bernard Sabrier, Chairman of Unigestion commented, “Throughout the entire Akina transaction, the support and guidance we received from Fenchurch was highly appreciated. During the most critical times of the negotiations in particular, their transaction skills and strategic views proved to be very helpful.”