Freshfields scores new client with £250m Gartmore IPO
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has bagged the key role acting for new client The Gartmore Group on its £250m IPO.
Stephen Revell
Corporate partners Stephen Revell, Jonathan Baird and William Lawes are leading the Freshfields team on the flotation, which is expected to close in mid-December.
The deal represents something of a coup for the firm, as it has not been on Gartmore’s panel of advisers. The Gartmore panel includes Allen & Overy, Arendt & Medernach, Ashurst, Eversheds, Simmons & Simmons and Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young.
Linklaters corporate partner John Lane acted for the syndicate of global banks acting as sponsors and bookrunners for the IPO. The group features Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and UBS. Citibanks is also joint bookrunner, while Fox-Pitt Kelton is co-lead manager.
Revell commented: “This was a new relationship formed to help with the IPO.
“There’s been a great reaction (to the IPO) and we are pleased to be involved in a deal that will open up the IPO market.”
Gartmore is 50 per cent owned by employees, with the remaining half owned by US private equity group Hellman & Friedman following a 2006 acquisition. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton partner Simon Jay acted for Hellman & Friedman on the deal.
