Linzi Thomas

FNZ Group (FNZ), a global platform-as-a-service provider, has secured an investment from Temasek. Temasek joins existing investors Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Generation Investment Management LLP (Generation), who acquired a majority stake in FNZ in October 2018, in a deal that valued the company at nearly £1.7 billion. This was the first investment from the CDPQ-Generation partnership, who came together to make large-scale, long-term sustainable investments. FNZ, which specialises in wealth management technology and serves many of the world’s largest financial services companies, will benefit from Temasek’s significant presence and experience in Asia as it looks to grow its business in the region over the coming years. Latham & Watkins advised CDPQ in the transaction, led by London corporate partners Linzi Thomas, Mike Bond, and James McCrory, with associates Laura Kichenside, Jon Fox, Stephanie Dellosa, Alice Drayton, and Faris Shoubber. London partner Nicola Higgs, with associates Sam Maxson and Brett Carr, advised on regulatory matters.~~

Feb 26

1 min

London corporate partners Huw Thomas and Linzi Thomas and associate Neil Campbell have been named to Legal Week’s 40 Under 40: The Rising Stars in Private Equity, a ranking of the “best up-and-coming private practice lawyers in UK and European private equity”. In Huw Thomas’ profile, Legal Week noted that partners at rival firms recommended him for the list. The publication highlighted his strong relationship with Hellman & Friedman and cited his role advising the firm on the disposal of minority interests in the Verisure Securitas Direct group. Linzi Thomas was praised for having been “singled out as a rising star in private equity” by one of London’s best-known private equity partners. The publication cited her role advising longstanding client CVC Capital Partners on the sale of a 30% stake in appliance care specialist company Domestic & General to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and recognised her commitment to the firm’s diversity initiatives. In the list, Neil Campbell was described as “an all-rounder, with excellent legal skills, great client and project management skills, and a really nice guy”. Legal Week also cited his role advising Blackstone Group and CVC Capital Partners on Paysafe’s acquisition of iPayment. Nominees for Legal Week’s 40 Under 40: The Rising Stars in Private Equity were assessed on the quality of their client base; scale, significance and complexity of their deals; their client feedback and general market reputation; the standing of their mentor; and any other examples of career success and innovation.~~

Oct 23

1 min

Latham & Watkins has advised L Catterton on entering into a binding agreement with Hammerson to acquire Hammerson’s entire interest in Value Retail through Silver Bidco Limited, a newly formed company incorporated in Jersey and established by certain affiliates of L Catterton, for an enterprise value of £1.5 billion, generating cash proceeds of approximately £600 million. Through its affiliate, The Bicester Collection, Value Retail specializes exclusively in the creation and operation of luxury shopping destinations. In the UK and Europe, it operates nine Villages located outside of Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, and Munich, including Bicester Village. The Latham team was led by London corporate partners Tom Evans and Linzi Thomas, with associates Jon Fox and Chris Cox.~~

Jul 23

1 min

Interswitch Limited (“Interswitch” or the “Company”), a leading technology-driven company focused on the digitisation of payments in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, and Visa Inc. (“Visa”), the world leader in digital payments, announced a strategic partnership that will further advance the digital payments ecosystem across Africa. As part of the agreement, Visa will acquire a significant minority equity stake in Interswitch. The investment makes Interswitch one of the most valuable African FinTech businesses with a valuation of US$1 billion. Visa will join globally renowned investors, Helios Investment Partners, TA Associates and IFC, as shareholders in Interswitch, alongside Company management. Latham & Watkins advised Interswitch, Helios Investment Partners and TA Associates on the transaction, with a team led by London corporate partners Kem Ihenacho and Linzi Thomas, and which included partners James Inness and Christian McDermott.~~

Nov 13

1 min

Latham & Watkins has advised CVC Capital Partners and Theramex, the leading global specialty pharmaceuticals company focused on women’s health, on the sale of Theramex to global investment firms PAI Partners and Carlyle. The acquisition aims to accelerate the global expansion of Theramex’s diverse suite of products across existing and adjacent therapeutic areas. Latham previously advised CVC Capital Partners on the formation of the Theramex Group in 2018. Theramex has subsequently developed into one of the largest specialty pharma platforms dedicated to women and their health. The company provides patient-focused solutions across contraception, fertility, menopause, and osteoporosis with the aim of providing patients with products that can support them through their life journey. The Latham team was led by London corporate partners Robbie McLaren and Linzi Thomas, with associates Jon Fox, Katie Peek, Andria Varnavides, and Ismay Brayne. Advice was also provided on regulatory matters by Paris partner Eveline Van Keymeulen, with associate Jeanne Fabre; on data and technology transactions matters by London partner Gail Crawford, with New York counsel Eliot Choy, and London associates Mihail Krepchev and Lorenzo Meusburger; and on finance matters by London partner Fergus O’Domhnaill, with associate Robert Lowe.~~

Mar 29

1 min