Lindahl lands Nordic stock exchange GC for M&A privatisation push

Swedish independent firm Lindahl has made a push into the public M&A sector with the hire of Mats Beckman, general counsel at the OMX Nordic Exchange.

The firm is looking to pick up key roles on a wave of privatisations being readied by the Swedish Department of Industry.

Eva-Maj Mühlenbock, managing partner at Lindahl, said: "Lindahl's strengthening through Mats Beckman is to be seen in light of the increased activity within public transactions.

"His experience will also be extremely valuable in connection with future sales of state-owned companies."

The Swedish government is gearing up to sell national companies such as the exchange itself and alcoholic drinks producer Vin & Spirit, which owns the Absolut vodka brand.

In March the government appointed a panel of seven firms to provide transactional advice on the privatisations. These are Cederquist, Delphi & Co, Linklaters, Mannheimer Setterwalls, Swartling, Vinge and Wistrand.

Lindahl decided not to take part in the tender process so it could act for purchasers without conflict problems.

Before joining the OMX, Beckman worked as an adviser at the Swedish Department of Finance and the European Commission.