Partners are forecasting a further uptick in UK initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2014 with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer emerging as the latest major firm to win a role on a company looking for a London listing, as discount retailer Poundland puts together a team to advise it on the company’s next steps.
Poundland’s private equity owner Warburg Pincus – Freshfields’ client – has lined up financial advisers JP Morgan and Credit Suisse to look for a route to market. The deal is understood to be being led by Freshfields corporate partner Adrian Maguire, with the company currently valued at between £400-£500m and expected to float early next year. It is thought that Allen & Overy is advising the underwriters on the deal.
