M&A boost for Memery Crystal in Gate Gourmet deal

Memery Crystal has won its first piece of M&A work from airline services company Gate Gourmet as the firm seeks to ramp up its corporate practice.

Memery Crystal advised Gate Gourmet on its purchase of the privately owned Fernley group of companies, which handles aeroplane-cleaning and security at airports in the UK and Europe.

Corporate partner Michael Dawes led the M&A team, assisted by employment partner Stephen Milne and tax partner Tim Crosley. Shoosmiths advised the vendors of the Fernley group.

Memery Crystal's connection to Gate Gourmet comes through dispute resolution partner Bree Taylor, who has handled disputes for the company. The corporate team was then invited to pitch for the Fernley deal.

Dawes said: "They liked the fact we have partner-led teams and the fact that a partner is on call. We're also quite competitive on costs."

Dawes said that Memery Crystal will be pushing for more corporate and M&A work as activity in the AIM market wanes. AIM is one of the firm's core practice areas.

"It's something we've always done but it's been a bit in the shadow of the AIM work," said Dawes. "But we're doing a lot more public and private M&A work now. We've been pushing it recently as it is a strength."

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