Australian private equity firm acquires funds rating agency with Clifford Chance's help

Clifford Chance has advised an Australian private equity firm on a major acquisition for a recently closed growth-capital fund.

The global firm counselled Five V Capital on its acquisition of Zenith Investment Partners, a funds rating agency and investment research company. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The cross-practice Clifford Chance team was headed by partner Andrew Crook, who was supported by counsel Jacob Kahwaji and Jonathan Halliwell, senior associate Ivo Basoski and associate Alice Bradshaw.

Clifford Chance also advised on the acquisition financing, with a team led by Australia managing partner Richard Gordon, who was supported by senior associate Sherry Khalili and associate Georgia Eldridge.

The deal is the flagship investment from Five V Fund III, which was closed by the investor early last year, Crook said. It is also only the second investment made by the private equity firm in the financial services sector.