London Corporate team’s guidance leads to sizeable PE investment for private wealth and corporate services firm

When VG, one of Jersey’s largest independent providers of private wealth and corporate services, required legal advice when looking to progress for a majority stake investment in its business from private equity bidders, they turned to HCR Law’s Corporate team in London.

The team, led by Head of National and London Corporate teams Richard Wilkey, worked alongside VG as an extension of their team to ensure the transaction went smoothly. In order to facilitate a seamless transaction, the team also worked closely with a number of advisers including Forvis Mazars’ corporate finance team led by Paul Joyce, Fred Dearden and Tiffany Chan.

The investor fund is managed by Mayfair Equity Partners, a London-based consumer and technology private equity firm. Providing sound advice and guidance throughout the deal, the team included Senior Associate Lara Bethell, Associates Matt Montgomery and Laura Herbert and Solicitor Christopher Sharp-Paul.

Following the successful completion of the deal, Iain Mason, Managing Director of VG, provided a heartfelt testimonial. He said:

“In anticipation of a sizeable PE investment that completed in November 2024, we chose HCR to act for us from a shortlist of five well-known and well-regarded law firms. I cannot express how glad I am at the decision we reached.

“Richard Wilkey and his team – Lara Bethell, Christopher Sharp-Paul, Matt Montgomery and Laura Herbert – were incredibly competent and professional, as we hoped, but with a degree of kind-heartedness, modesty and empathy that we hadn’t expected, and which is rare indeed. They effortlessly translated complex considerations into language our shareholder group could understand, greatly facilitating educated decision-making during the sale process.”

He continued: “They were commercial during negotiations, keeping up the momentum of the deal, whilst nevertheless preserving at all times what was important to our business in the legal documentation. They were highly organised and proactive, seamlessly integrating their work with that of our other advisers and VG personnel, which reduced financial and opportunity costs significantly. We found no weaknesses but abundant strengths.

“I have worked with hundreds of law firms during my 40 years in the finance industry and HCR has provided the most enjoyable and satisfactory experience by some margin. I regret our paths not having crossed before but am confident they will do so in the future; I would engage them to act for us again in a heartbeat. These sentiments have been echoed by the rest of the deal team that VG assembled, which team has a combined 170 years’ experience in this sector. Take a chance and engage them; you won’t be disappointed.”

Head of National and London Corporate teams Richard Wilkey said: “I’m delighted the deal completed successfully. It was a pleasure to work alongside VG and in particular the VG deal team throughout the deal. Their level of commerciality and professionalism was impressive and I am sure that their new partnership with Mayfair is one which will lead to a long and successful future.”