Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have guided global asset manager Henderson Group and Denver-based global investment firm Janus Capital Group through its $6bn merger.
The combined group, to be named Janus Henderson Global Investors, will now hold assets under management of over $320bn. The newly-merged group will be headquartered in London and has agreed to apply for listing on the NYSE with plans to stop trading on the London Stock Exchange.
Freshfields’ London corporate head Simon Marchant, corporate partner Oliver Lazenby and global financial institutions partner David Rouch acted for Henderson Group alongside the Magic Circle firm’s New York partners Peter Lyons and Matthew Herman.
Janus was advised by Skadden’s London head Michael Hatchard and M&A partner Scott Hopkins. The pair worked alongside the firm’s co-head of its financial institutions group David Hepp and M&A partner Ralph Arditi who are both based in New York.
Marchant (pictured) said: ‘This is exactly the sort of complex, cross-border transaction which underscores the importance of having a fully-integrated, top tier international M&A practice.’
This is the second major deal Freshfields and Skaddens have acted on together in recent months, with Phoenix Group Holdings enlisting the duo as it looks to acquire insurance company Abbey Life from Deutsche Bank for £935m.
Skadden advised Phoenix with a team including corporate partners Robert Stirling and Linda Davies, capital markets partner Danny Tricot, and tax partner James Anderson. Freshfields is advising on debt finance aspects with banking partner Sean Pierce taking the lead.
madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk
