Ogier advises Brooks Macdonald on acquisition of Channel Islands wealth management and funds busines

Ogier has successfully advised the award winning investment management firm Brooks Macdonald, on the acquisition of the Channel Islands wealth management and funds business of Lloyds Bank International Limited (subject to regulatory approval). The acquisition will facilitate greater scale, new capabilities and expanded distribution reach for Brooks Macdonald Group's international business.

The cross-border Ogier team was led by Jersey-based partners Matthew Shaxson and Niamh Lalor, with the team advising on matters of Jersey and Guernsey law that involved corporate, funds and employment specialisms and requiring a detailed understanding of the regulatory and funds regimes in both Jersey and Guernsey.  Matthew advised on the Jersey corporate and regulatory aspects of the deal with assistance from senior associate Euan Hutcheon and associate Michael Anderson.  Niamh led on the Jersey investment funds advice, assisted by senior associate Joanna Christensen. 

Director of local legal services, Helen Ruelle, led the employment team with assistance from Will Austin-Vautier and Laura Shirreffs in Jersey and Rachel DeSanges in Guernsey.       

Guernsey-based partner Bryon Rees and managing associate Richard Doyle advised on the Guernsey corporate and regulatory aspects of the transaction.     

Matthew Shaxson, who has extensive experience in acquisitions and disposals in the financial services sector said: "We are very pleased to have assisted the team at Brooks Macdonald on this important transaction. The transaction highlighted the effectiveness of our cross-jurisdictional and cross-disciplinary teams, notwithstanding the prevailing challenging circumstances. Our IT infrastructure and long-held familiarity with platforms such as DocuSign allowed us to efficiently coordinate remote execution. To successfully advise on two announced deals in the Jersey financial services sector in the past month is also testament to our focus and expertise in this sector.”

Simon Broomfield, General Counsel at Brooks Macdonald Group said: “We were delighted to be able to exchange on this transaction, amidst the added challenges that lockdown presented.  The Ogier team, led by Matt Shaxson and Niamh Lalor, provided an excellent service at all levels, from Partner to Associate; across corporate, regulatory, employment and funds, in both Jersey and Guernsey. A huge thanks to all involved.”