Thomas McGrath

Advising:

• Universal Music on the merger control aspects of its acquisition of Downtown Music recently approved by the European Commission following a Phase II investigation; the acquisition of a minority interest in Chord Music Partners from KKR; the acquisition of a majority interest in Mavin Global Holdings; the acquisition of independent music company PIAS; and in relation to the CMA’s market study on music and streaming.
• A multinational company on the global merger control and national security aspects of its $11.2bn transfer of Wintershall Dea’s exploration and production business to Harbour Energy.
• Linnaeus, part of Mars Veterinary Health, on the multi-year market investigation by the CMA into the UK veterinary services sector.
• Rolls Royce SMR on the global merger control and national security aspects of its partnership with CEZ Group to deploy SMRs in the UK and Czechia.
• A Global Technology Company on the CMA's cloud infrastructure market investigation.
• CVC (and E-Traveli) in relation to the global merger control aspects of its proposed $1.5bn sale to Booking.com, a landmark case in European merger control.
• Parker-Hannifin in relation to the global merger control and foreign investment clearances for its £6.3bn public offer for Meggitt, a manufacturer of aerospace and defence motion and control technologies, including obtaining EU and UK phase I merger clearances subject to competition remedies, with further national security remedies and economic undertakings given to the UK Government.
• Aon in relation to the EU merger control aspects of its $29.9bn merger with Willis Towers Watson, securing clearance at Phase II.
• Rentokil in relation to the UK merger control aspects of its successful acquisition of Cannon Hygiene, securing clearance at Phase II.
• Connect Bidco consortium (Apax, Warburg Pincus, CPPIB and OTPPB) in relation to the global merger control aspects and UK Government approval, subject to national security undertakings, of its £2.6bn acquisition of Inmarsat.
• Deloitte in relation to the CMA’s market study on statutory audit.
• A chemicals company in relation to the global merger control aspects of its €7.6bn acquisition of significant components of Bayer’s seed and crop protection businesses and related assets, which Bayer divested ahead of its planned acquisition of Monsanto.
• Johnson & Johnson in relation to the global merger control aspects of its $30bn acquisition of Actelion.
• BG Group in relation to the global merger control aspects of its €65bn acquisition by a multinational oil and gas company.
• Holcim in relation to the EU merger control aspects of its $43bn merger of equals with Lafarge.