Thomas Sharkey

Willkie advised Recognize in connection with the agreement by GTCR and Recognize to acquire TRANZACT, a leading direct-to-consumer insurance services company, from WTW PLC (NASDAQ: WTW), a global advisory, broking and solutions company. The transaction values TRANZACT at $632.4 million. On October 1, WTW announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell TRANZACT to GTCR and Recognize for $632.4 million, subject to certain adjustments. The investment will build on TRANZACT’s strong performance and target areas of growth amongst its insurance carrier partners. Recognize is an investment platform exclusively focused on the digital services industry. The Willkie team is led by partners Eric Halperin and Thomas Sharkey and includes associate Matthew Williams.

Oct 1

1 min

Willkie is representing Aquiline Capital Partners LP and its portfolio company Relation Insurance Services, one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the United States, in the sale of Relation to BayPine. Relation provides risk management and benefits consulting services nationwide, delivering specialized expertise and tailored solutions to clients of all sizes across a range of industry segments, including construction, transportation, agriculture, entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and real estate. Willkie previously advised Aquiline on its acquisition of Relation in 2019. Since Aquiline’s initial investment, Relation has completed more than 100 acquisitions, executed a targeted broker recruitment strategy, diversified its product suite, and built differentiated specialty capabilities across several niche industries. Aquiline is a global private investment firm with offices in New York, London, and Philadelphia that focuses on financial services and technology. The Willkie team was led by partners Jeffrey Poss and Thomas Sharkey and counsel David Avraham.

Feb 19

1 min

Willkie is advising CTH Invest SA, a Ferrero-related company, on its acquisition of Nonni’s Bakery from Vestar Capital Partners. Nonni’s Bakery manufactures premium artisanal biscotti cookies and baked goods. Founded in 1988, it has leveraged its premium biscotti expertise rooted in its Italian heritage to become a leading biscotti company in the U.S. The proposed acquisition strengthens Ferrero’s presence in North America and continues its growth in the sweet-packaged food industry globally. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to customary closing conditions. CTH Invest SA is a Ferrero-related Belgian Holding Company that owns iconic brands including Michel et Augustin in France, Burton’s Biscuit Company and Fox’s Biscuits in the UK, Kelsen Group in Denmark, and Delacre Biscuits in Belgium. Ferrero Group and its related parties is the third-largest player in the worldwide chocolate confectionery industry. The Willkie team is led by partners Adam Turteltaub and Thomas Sharkey and includes associates David Avraham, Jacqueline Foley and Bridget Boyd.

Jul 25

1 min

Willkie advised Shamrock Capital on its investment in DE-YAN, a leading global experiential consultancy known for its top-tier design, integrated creative strategy and digital innovation. Founded in 2014, DE-YAN has grown rapidly from a niche boutique studio to a global experiential consultancy providing in-house design, technology, motion, architecture, and production services for a marquee client base. Willkie previously advised Shamrock Capital on numerous transactions, including its recent investment in Nth Degree, a leading event management and experiential marketing company. Shamrock Capital is a Los Angeles-based investment firm with approximately $6.2 billion of assets under management. It invests exclusively in media, entertainment, communications, and related sectors through a multi-fund strategy centered on private equity investments, as well as ownership and financing of content and media rights. The Willkie team was led by partners Ray LaSoya and Thomas Sharkey and included associates Brian Kollatz and Amirali Agha-Khan, and law clerk Brandon Park-Lee.

Nov 19

1 min

On December 20, Willkie client Third Point LLC, an alternative investment manager with $12 billion of assets, announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AS Birch Grove LP, a diversified alternative credit fund manager.  Following the completion of the transaction, Birch Grove will become a subsidiary of Third Point. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Third Point is an event-driven investor in equities, venture capital, and credit strategies including structured, performing, distressed, and private credit. The acquisition of Birch Grove is expected to supplement Third Point’s credit capabilities to better serve its investors across all asset classes. Founded in 2013, Birch Grove has approximately $8 billion of assets under management in strategies including collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), opportunistic private credit solutions, multi-strategy credit, senior loans, and high-yield bonds. The Willkie team was led by partners Russell Leaf and Thomas Sharkey and associate Christian Bonser.

Dec 30

1 min