A cross-firm team at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG) has advised Virtus Data Centres (VIRTUS), on its acquisition of Slough-based Infinity SDC’s West London data centre.
This strategic investment increases VIRTUS’ portfolio of high quality, cloud centric metro data centres, making it one of the largest hybrid data centre providers in London.
Head of WLG ’s Data Centres team, partner Mark Chester , led the acquisition, alongside corporate partner Jeremy Millington , directors Chris Towle (corporate ) and Jocelyn Paulley (commercial ), principal associate Francis Turley (real estate ) and associate Chris Letters (corporate).
Partner Kirsty Barnes and principal associate Ed Hall represented VIRTUS in respect of the funding element.
VIRTUS acquired 100% of the share capital in the operating company which owns the Slough Data Centre, now known as VIRTUS LONDON4. The assets, operating staff and customers of the Infinity Slough business have all transferred to VIRTUS through the transaction.
Adding a further data centre to VIRTUS’ portfolio significantly strengthens its market position, and accelerates its expansion by more than doubling the capacity available to customers and prospects to around 35MW.
Mat Abramsky of Brockton Capital, the joint venture partner of VIRTUS Data Centres, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this deal, which will enable us to extend our colocation facilities and establish us as a formidable force in the London data centre market.
”WLG fielded an expert team from no less than nine legal disciplines, working seamlessly together. Their legal insight, extensive knowledge of data centres and expertise in the niche area of electricity networks ensured the advice we received was commercially driven and delivered on time.”
Mark Chester added: “This is a great deal for both parties. The acquisition is an excellent opportunity for our client to extend the provision of its services and secure a facility capable of significant expansion.
“VIRTUS is now the third largest data centre operator in the UK, a fantastic achievement when you consider the company started out in 2008.”
The wider WLG team acting on the transaction included: partners Derek Goodban (energy ) and Adam Bushby (pensions ); directors Zoe Fatchen (tax ) and Samantha Holland (insurance ); senior associate James Stanier (energy ); associates Laura Clark (employment & equalities ); Elizabeth Alabaster and David Barry (real estate ); Helen Hall (construction ); Anieka Golhar (energy ); Spencer Tewis-Allen (planning ); and Charlotte Brady (environmental law).
WLG worked in partnership with Ernst & Young who dealt with the tax due diligence.
WLG’s Data Centres team helps the owners and operators of data centres, the funders of them, and the enterprises that need or use them to navigate their way through a spectrum of legal issues relating to an industry that is still in its relative infancy.
