Olswang has scooped a role acting for Kleinwort Capital on its possible acquisition of a stake in Hat Trick Productions after the private equity house’s long-time adviser Macfarlanes was conflicted out.
Macfarlanes is acting for Hat Trick, maker of Have I Got News for You, on the sale of a minority stake in the company, which, if it proceeds, is expected to value the company at up to £40m.
According to reports, Hat Trick is hoping to sell off a minority stake in return for a cash injection.
It is believed that this is one of the first deals that Olswang has worked on for Kleinwort Capital, formerly known as Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Private Equity.
The private equity house was created in late 2001 through a joint venture between Kleinwort Development Fund, its managers and Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Private Equity. Macfarlanes has regularly advised both Kleinwort Capital and its previous incarnation.
It is understood that Macfarlanes may have been acting for Hat Trick before Kleinwort emerged as a potential investor, as last summer the production company retained boutique bank Ingenious Media to oversee the transaction. With Macfarlanes tied up, Kleinwort looked to Olswang to step in.
Olswang corporate partner Fabrizio Carpanini is acting for the new client, while Hat Trick is being advised by Macfarlanes corporate partner John Dodsworth.
In the past, the company has also been represented by DJ Freeman and Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
