Victoria Sigeti

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) advises longstanding client Mars, Incorporated (‘Mars’), and its wholly owned indirect subsidiary Hive Bidco, Inc., on the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc (‘Hotel Chocolat’), an AIM listed company. Mars is a leading global manufacturer of chocolate, chewing gum, mints, fruity confections, and other snacks, including brands like M&Ms, Snickers, Orbit, Extra, Kind, and Skittles that are enjoyed in more than 180 countries. Today, its UK business employs over 1,600 people across four UK sites in Slough, Plymouth, Maidenhead and London, manufacturing brands including Mars, Snickers, Galaxy, and Maltesers. Hotel Chocolat is a premium British chocolate maker with a strong and distinctive direct to consumer brand. The business was founded in 1993 by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris, and has traded under the Hotel Chocolat brand since 2003. The acquisition was announced on 16 November 2023 and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, subject to shareholder approval. The Freshfields team is being led by corporate partners Piers Prichard Jones and Victoria Sigeti, and senior associate Angus Scott, alongside associate Nikki Willson.

Nov 16

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising General Atlantic on a minority investment in Partners Capital Investment Group (“Partners Capital”). Investment funds managed by General Atlantic are establishing this minority position by buying a portion of the equity currently held by Partners Capital’s longstanding external shareholders and some of the founding generation partners. The transaction is expected to complete later this year subject to certain regulatory conditions and client consents. The Freshfields cross-practice team advising on this cross-border transaction is jointly led by London-based private capital partners Victoria Sigeti and James Scott, senior associate Hannah Turton and associates Emily Gidda and Stephanie Paterson, and New York-based partner Andrea Basham. Partner Cyrus Pocha and senior associate Claire Harrop are advising on the regulatory aspects, together with partners Brian Rance (US), Matt O’Callaghan (Hong Kong) and Marc Perrone (France). Partner May Smith, supported by senior associates Emily Szasz and David Haughey, and partner Joe Soltis, supported by senior associate Courtney Canning, are leading on UK and US tax respectively.

Feb 9

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising Cinven on its majority investment in Alter Domus, a leading global provider of end-to-end tech-enabled fund administration and corporate services across private equity, real assets, and private debt. Cinven will support the long-term strategic growth of Alter Domus, working in close partnership with Alter Domus’ founders and Permira. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Freshfields team was led by private capital partners Victoria Sigeti and Alastair Brown and senior associate Jay Swain together with financing and capital markets partners Aled Batey and Haden Henderson. James Smethurst was the partner leading on financial regulatory matters, partner May Smith advised on tax matters, partner Martin McElwee on antitrust and partner David Mendel on employment and incentives. This latest acquisition carries on Freshfields’ long-standing relationship with Cinven, having recently advised Cinven on its investment in group.One and its acquisitions of Master Builders Solutions, Netceed and life insurer International Financial Group Limited.

Mar 5

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising international private equity firm Cinven on its agreement to sell a majority stake in Partner in Pet Food (‘PPF’), an industry leading pan-European pet food manufacturer, to funds managed by CVC. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. PPF produces a full range of pet food products from facilities around Europe and supplies more than 280 customers across more than 35 countries, including speciality pet retailers, general food retailers, discounters, and online specialists. Its product range includes both private label and branded pet food and covers all categories, quality tiers and price points, including wet and dry food, snacks and treats in a variety of serving formats. PPF is one of few truly pan-European pet food companies. In 2023, it manufactured c.700 thousand tons of pet food and generated revenues of approximately €800 million. The Freshfields team is being led by private capital partner Victoria Sigeti and senior associate Angus Scott alongside associates Charles Wakeford and Stephanie Paterson. Advice on financing is being provided by partner Aled Batey. Partner May Smith is advising on tax matters and partner Martin McElwee on antitrust matters. This latest sale carries on Freshfields’ long-standing relationship with Cinven, having recently advised Cinven on its funds’ investments in Alter Domus and group.One and its acquisitions of Master Builders Solutions, Netceed and life insurer International Financial Group Limited.

Jun 28

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) advises Cinven, the leading international private equity firm focused on building world-class global and European companies, on the planned investment in Fressnapf. Concurrently, it is contemplated that Fressnapf will acquire full control of the Arcaplanet Group from Cinven. The Fressnapf Group is a leading European pet care retailer. Since the opening of the first "Fressnapf" specialty store in 1990 in Erkelenz (NRW), founder Torsten Toeller has remained the owner of the company and will remain the majority shareholder. The company is headquartered in Krefeld, with further offices in Venlo (NL) and in the national subsidiaries. The Fressnapf Group is currently active in 14 countries and, together with Arcaplanet, operates more than 2,600 specialty stores. The Freshfields team was led by Partner Wessel Heukamp (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Partner Victoria Sigeti (Corporate/M&A, London) and Principal Associate Maximilian Hobuß (Corporate /M&A, Munich). The Freshfields team further comprised Associate Giulia Zöller (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Partner David Beutel, Counsel Martin Rehberg and Principal Associate Julian Siller (all Tax, Munich), Partner Ulrich Sittard and Associate Tobias Kalb (all Employment Law, Munich), Associate Annabelle Hamelin (Data Protection, Berlin) and Associate Miriam Benmoussa (IP/IT, Vienna). Partner Martin McElwee, Counsel Uwe Salaschek and Senior Associate Cara Carr advised on antitrust, foreign direct investment and foreign subsidies matters.

Jul 5

1 min