Bonnier News invests in Business Post Group

Swedish-headquartered media giant Bonnier News Business AB has made a strategic minority investment in Business Post Group, publisher of Ireland’s Business Post.

Arthur Cox LLP advised Bonnier on the transaction, while Reed Smith LLP advised Business Post Group.

Under the terms of the deal, Business Post Group CEO Enda O’Coineen will remain the significant shareholder of the company and the day-to-day management of the company will not change. Bonnier News will take two seats on Business Post’s board.

The Arthur Cox team was led by corporate and M&A partner Maura McLaughlin, supported by corporate and M&A lawyers Sinéad Crowley, Eoin McCague, Aidan McDonnell and Diarmaid Leahy, finance lawyers Kevin Lynch and Claire Murnane, technology and innovation lawyers Olivia Mullooly and Lorraine Sheridan, competition lawyer Patrick Horan, pensions lawyer Daniel Watters, real estate lawyers Fiona Healy and Anne Maree Igoe and employment lawyer Grace-Ann Meghen.

The London-based Reed Smith team was led by partner Kathleen Garrett with strategic M&A advice from corporate group co-chair Delphine Currie and support from associates Matthew Bowen, Roxana Burghel and Saiya Guo.

High Wire Post Production acquired by Bizet Media

Dublin-based High Wire Post Production has been acquired by Bizet Media, the parent company of Milk VFX.

International law firm RPC advised Bizet Media on the transaction, while the advisers to High Wire Post Production have not been named.

The acquisition is a key part of Bizet Media’s strategy to develop a range of distinctive talent-led businesses in VFX and production solutions and is its first step into post production.

The RPC deal team was led by partner Jeremy Cunningham and associate Ella Shanks with support from partner Ben Roberts on tax matters.

Mr Cunningham said: “We were delighted to be able to advise Bizet Media and assist its ambitious European growth strategy. We are excited to see what the future holds for the group — it’s already able to boast a number of Oscar and BAFTA wins!”

NPP Packaging Systems acquires Food Processing Technology Irl

Finglas-based packaging and machinery group NPP Packaging Systems Limited has acquired Tallaght-based Food Processing Technology Irl Limited (FPT).

BHSM LLP advised NPP on the acquisition, while the advisers to FPT have not been named.

The addition of FPT will bring the total number of NPP employees to 85, while FPT’s revenue of €6 million will enlarge NPP’s overall business by 10 per cent.

The BHSM team was made up of corporate partner Joe McVeigh and solicitor Eoghan Murphy.

LEVL to lease 21 helicopters and five aircraft

Dublin-based LEVL Leasing Limited, a joint venture entity between Lobo Leasing Limited and EMP Structured Assets GmbH, has agreed the leasing and financing of twenty-one helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP advised LEVL on the transaction, which involved Investec Bank and another major European bank providing financing for the aircraft.

The aircraft will be used for medical response, firefighting and emergency services in several jurisdictions in Europe and Africa.

The MHC team was led by partner David McGovern, head of the aviation and international asset finance team, working closely with senior associate Andrea Gleasure and aviation specialist Jennifer Carey.

Mr McGovern said: “We were delighted to have acted for LEVL’s in this complex multijurisdictional transaction. It was great to work with the team led by Dan Roberts (CEO) and Sarah Caprani (Legal Counsel) to deliver such a large number of aircraft in a relatively tight timeframe while managing various jurisdictional complications.”