Fenchurch is pleased to have advised AXA on three separate disposals of its UK Life & Savings businesses, comprising:

• SunLife, the Over 50s direct-to-consumer protection business, and Embassy, AXA UK’s non-platform investment and pensions business, to Phoenix Group;
• Elevate, the wrap platform business with c. £10bn of assets under administration, to Standard Life; and
• AXA Wealth International, the Isle of Man offshore bond business, to Life Company Consolidation Group (LCCG).

The aggregate consideration for all three transactions is €832 million.

Paul Evans, CEO of AXA UK and CEO designate of AXA Global Life & Savings and AXA Global Health, commented: “Fenchurch’s advice was important in planning and preparing for the complexity of one, two or potentially three disposals and related separation issues. Their trusted senior relationships, authoritative insights into the M&A market and deep sector expertise were critical to successfully orchestrating all three transactions.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised AXA on three separate disposals of its UK Life & Savings businesses, comprising:

• SunLife, the Over 50s direct-to-consumer protection business, and Embassy, AXA UK’s non-platform investment and pensions business, to Phoenix Group;
• Elevate, the wrap platform business with c. £10bn of assets under administration, to Standard Life; and
• AXA Wealth International, the Isle of Man offshore bond business, to Life Company Consolidation Group (LCCG).

The aggregate consideration for all three transactions is €832 million.

Paul Evans, CEO of AXA UK and CEO designate of AXA Global Life & Savings and AXA Global Health, commented: “Fenchurch’s advice was important in planning and preparing for the complexity of one, two or potentially three disposals and related separation issues. Their trusted senior relationships, authoritative insights into the M&A market and deep sector expertise were critical to successfully orchestrating all three transactions.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have acted as financial adviser to Just Retirement Group plc on its recommended all-share merger with Partnership Assurance Group plc, which completed today.

The Boards of Just Retirement and Partnership believe the merger will deliver significant strategic and financial benefits by using the combined group’s outstanding intellectual property and greater scale to accelerate existing strategies, whilst also creating the opportunity for cost synergies.

Rodney Cook, CEO of JRP Group, said: “Fenchurch’s life insurance sector knowledge, in-depth understanding of Just Retirement and senior team commitment were important factors in securing this complex merger and related equity capital issue during a period of considerable regulatory change. Fenchurch’s expert and independent advice helped us to navigate successfully all key transaction issues and align numerous stakeholders.”

Fenchurch is pleased to have advised Prudential on the sale of its 25% stake in PruHealth and PruProtect to Discovery Group at a 100% valuation of £620m.

PruHealth was established by Prudential and Discovery in 2004 as a JV offering private medical insurance products, before expanding into the protection market through PruProtect in 2007. The JV generated c.£480m of gross premiums in the year to June 2014.



The transaction has enabled Prudential UK to realise its minority investment at attractive terms whilst providing full strategic flexibility to re-enter the UK protection market in due course.



Jackie Hunt, CEO of Prudential UK, Europe and Africa, commented: “Fenchurch made a very strong tactical, financial and commercial contribution to our team and helped us secure attractive terms for our investment in the JV. We were particularly impressed with the depth of their team and the level of senior engagement throughout the assignment.”

Fenchurch Advisory is pleased to announce that it acted as exclusive financial adviser to Legal & General on its acquisition of the 75% stake in Cofunds which it does not already own, valuing the business at £175 million.

Cofunds is the largest investment platform in the UK, with assets under administration of over £50 billion and a 22% market share. The acquisition will form part of Legal & General’s savings division, extending its asset gathering capabilities and providing scale and distribution in the investment platform market.”