One $80m investment highlighted the growing interest for innovation and tech within the ASX market
Gilbert + Tobin (G+T) has recently pitched in on a number of major investments across several industries.
The firm advised leading share registry and professional services company Automic Group on an $80m investment by Five V Capital into the company. With the investment, Automic’s value passes the $200m mark.
“We are delighted to have advised Automic Group on this milestone investment. The deal signifies the growing interest for innovation and technology within the ASX market,” G+T lead partner Adam D’Andreti said.
Automic’s clients includes several ASX listers, and it is considered the second largest share registry provider after Computershare.
“We congratulate Automic Group and Five V Capital on their new partnership and look forward to seeing Automic Group continue to grow its cloud-based capabilities to further streamline registries across listed and unlisted markets,” D’Andreti said.
He was supported by lawyers Elizabeth Cameron, Xavier Keary and Liya Wu in working on the deal.
A team from G+T also advised Australian non-bank lender Epsilon Direct Lending as it financed Liverpool Partner’s acquisition of a majority stake in Seven Miles Coffee Roasters and in Australian Beverage Corporation, a provider of coffee equipment and services.
“Epsilon's entry into the market strengthens the growing non-bank lending market in Australia and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to partner with them,” explained Gail Christopher, G+T’s lead partner on this transaction and the firm’s head of banking. “We were delighted to work with the Epsilon Direct Lending again on another great private equity transaction.”
Christopher received support from lawyers Elizabeth Athanassios and Catrina Chen of the banking team, as well as graduate Kin Pan.
Meanwhile, a team from the firm’s corporate advisory practice guided long-term client Pemba Capital Partners as it snagged a majority interest in Vets Central, which owns a significant portfolio of vet clinics.
“We are delighted to have provided support to our long-time client Pemba Capital Partners on this transaction, which has enabled Vets Central to complete on its initial pipeline of vet clinic acquisitions and seed an outstanding platform for future growth in the sector,” G+T lead partner Adam Laura said.
The firm explained that Vets Central complemented Pemba’s current investments, and was indicative of the “particularly high levels of pet ownership” in the country.
Vets Central plans to further beef up its portfolio following its acquisition of a range of successful clinics. It also aims to sustain its focus on the maintenance of brand integrity and a co-ownership offering, G+T added.
Working with Laura on the transaction were lawyers Naomi Kora and Jackson Kang, as well as graduate Srivatsav Moorthy.
