Linklaters and Sidley join cast on Glencore's £3.9bn Viterra take-over
Linklaters and Sidley Austin have taken European roles on Swiss commodities trader Glencore’s acquisition of Canadian grain trading company Viterra in a deal that has given advisory roles to a raft of firms in Australia, Canada and the US.
Glencore confirmed the CA$6.1bn (£3.9bn) deal in a stock market announcement, stating that Linklaters had advised the global commodities giant in Europe and Asia, with Bennett Jones advising in Canada, King & Wood Mallesons in Australia and Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt and Mosle in the US.
The corporate element of the deal is being run out of Canada, with Toronto corporate partner Jamie Scarlett leading a 21-person legal team from Canadian firm Torys for Viterra. National rival Bennett Jones has the corresponding role for Glencore, with Toronto partner Ken Klassen leading.
Linklaters’ European team was led by corporate relationship partner Charlie Jacobs and City competition partner Christian Ahlborn.
Glencore’s statement also confirmed that Ashurst was advising Viterra in Australia and Sidley Austin in Europe, with Sidley competition partner Timothy Cowen leading the City team. The make-up of the Ashurst team is currently unclear.
Canadian firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin is acting for Viterra’s board of directors, the statement said.
Linklaters has established ties to Glencore, with London corporate partner Jacobs leading for the commodities trader on its 2011 IPO (12 April 2011) and its £56.8bn merger with miner Xstrata (2 February 2012).
