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Ropes & Gray has advised Groupe Rocher, one of France’s largest privately-held businesses with over 17,000 employees, in a definitive agreement to acquire Arbonne International, whose holding company is Natural Products Group (NPG).
Arbonne is a leader in direct selling of botanically based beauty, personal care and nutrition products.
The acquisition will include NPG’s company Nature’s Gate, a personal care brand. The transaction was announced on 2 February 2018.
Arbonne International, headquartered in Irvine, California, offers a wide range of vegan skincare, bath and body and nutrition and makeup products sold in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia,
The recent rise in corporate profits and financial metrics won’t be enough to offset the significant credit risk of high leverage levels among global corporates. That’s according to a report that S&P Global Ratings has just released, titled ‘Global Corporate Leverage Trends 2018.’
“When debt is this steep and default rates are low, something’s gotta give,” says S&P Global Ratings analyst Terry Chan. “Such leverage implies sensitivity to both higher funding costs and reduced access to financing. A material repricing in bond markets or faster-than-expected normalisation in money market rates could impact credit profiles, triggering the next default cycle.”
The
Brookfield Asset Management’s Public Securities Group has completed the acquisitions of Center Coast Capital Holdings (CCC), an energy infrastructure-focused, Houston-based SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately USD4 billion in assets under management, and certain assets of Liberty Street Advisors (Liberty Street) and its affiliates, HRC Fund Associates, and HRC Portfolio Solutions, (collectively, HRC).
HRC served as the third-party marketing and servicing agent of CCC products to financial advisors and wealth managers at major wirehouses, independent registered investment advisers and independent broker-dealers. The acquisitions were previously announced on 10 October, 2017.
“These acquisitions mark an important step in the growth of
Carey Olsen has established a presence in Bermuda through managing partner and experienced Bermudian attorney Michael Hanson (pictured).
ContentKing, a fast-growing startup providing an extensive SEO auditing, reporting and insights solution to digital marketing professionals worldwide, received EUR350,000 in seed capital at a EUR3.5 million valuation in late 2017.
Vincent van Scherpenseel, CEO at ContentKing, says: “This investment is a fantastic validation of our vision, idea and execution. I am incredibly proud of what our team has been able to accomplish so far. The additional capital will be applied to further support the growth of our team and marketing activities.”
With a team of 16 people spread across the Netherlands and Czech Republic, they’re making their vision
Noerr has appointed Alexander Schilling as an associated partner in the firm’s banking and finance practice in Frankfurt. Schilling comes to Noerr from Allen & Overy.
Alexander specialises in advising on national and international investment grade financing, acquisition and leverage financing, as well as promissory note loans. He advises both banks and companies and has comprehensive experience in advising on financing aspects in connection with spin-offs and mergers. “I am very pleased that we have been able to recruit Alexander for our financing team,” says Andreas Naujoks, who heads Noerr’s Banking & Finance practice group. “His expertise and wide-ranging practical
Level, a new independent lending boutique, backed by Quilam Capital, is aiming to bring a fresh approach to family litigation finance.
The firm provides funding to cover the legal costs of individuals going through divorce. Assets are often held in just one party’s name, creating an imbalance in the level of representation the parties can afford. Level ensures that the individual’s case won’t be hindered by lack of access to funds and a financial settlement can be reached.
Founded by George Williamson, a former wealth manager and specialist in financial planning for divorcees and Katie Alexiou, a family solicitor, Level provides
Competition among managers for capital in the alternative investment sector has never been greater. Similarly, as fund service providers vie for business in a crowded market place, it is important for firms to stand out from the crowd, writes Paul Bannier of Icorserv, on behalf of the Guernsey Investment Fund Association.
One way in which they can do that is to consider their responses to the ever-increasing number of due diligence requests.
In the case of fund managers, the primary focus is often on investment due diligence and demonstrating to potential investors that the firm has the resources, expertise and
TW & Partners (TWP) has committed up to USD200 million to Future Planet Capital’s (FPC) inaugural fund. FPC is the first global platform to invest in leading universities and the “centres of innovation” surrounding them and TWP is sponsored by some of the world’s largest conglomerates and investment groups.
FPC’s mission is to deliver excellent returns whilst creating a lasting impact by profitably addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. TWP has made a pre-launch commitment of USD30 million rising to up to USD200 million at final close. TWP will be a cornerstone investor alongside the Royal Berkshire Pension Fund.
FPC and
Breed Reply, an active operational investor in early-stage Internet of Things (IoT) businesses, has launched a new Europe-wide search for IoT investment opportunities.
It is the seventh time Breed Reply has run its “Best in Breed” programme where start-ups with exciting IoT innovations and products are invited to apply to Breed Reply with their investment cases. The best will receive funding along with advisory and support services from Breed Reply.
Successful applicants will pitch to a team with significant experience in scaling up early-stage businesses, in-depth understanding of different markets, proven track record in sales channel development and strong
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