Damocles Merry
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Damocles is a Partner that specialises in M&A and transactional work for defence, security and aerospace clients, with a strong focus on technology in the sector. He also advises real estate clients on corporate opportunities, including joint ventures and acquisitions of alternative asset classes linked to real estate.
Damocles has advised on a large variety of corporate transactions, principally handling M&A and joint venture projects. Working with high-growth private companies and listed plc's, he regularly acts on cross-border transactions involving parties across the globe and complex corporate partnerships.
The M&A Director at a British multinational defence technology company has praised Damocles for his "pragmatic and commercially focused approach" when advising on transactions.
"Damocles has offered a calm and knowledgeable legal presence and has helped [us] to develop a strong approach to joint ventures which is now sector leading. He has been integral in concluding transactions to meet strict commercial deadlines, supporting my colleagues in building their understanding of the documentation and always being available to provide ongoing assistance"
I focus on helping clients navigate strategic transactions that can transform their businesses, including their products and services.
Acting for defence technology company, QinetiQ, on its purchase of 85% of Inzpire Group and its subsequent exercise of its option to acquiring the remaining 15%.
Advising the shareholders of Hopkins Homes, the largest privately-owned housebuilder in East Anglia, on the sale of Hopkins Homes Group Limited to Terra Firma.
Advising Ultra Electronics on the sale to Ontic, a leading OEM and provider of MRO services for established aircraft in the commercial, military, rotorcraft and adjacent markets (including marine and rail), of various product lines.
Advising Vistry Partnerships on its response to a competitive tender from Goram Homes (wholly owned by Bristol City Council) to enter into a joint venture to develop a site at Romney House in Bristol.
Advising QinetiQ on its purchase of Meggitt Target Systems, now known as QinetiQ Target Systems or QTS, for £57.5m.
Advising QinetiQ on its £25m acquisition of Naimuri, a UK cloud-based services and technology for the intelligence community specialising in data analytics, data intelligence and agile software development.
Advising QinetiQ on its acquisition of Camberley-based military training specialist Newman & Spurr Consultancy, which develops education programmes for senior officers and young soldiers.
Assisting QinetiQ with its acquisition of an autonomous capability platform for maritime and land environments. Applications includes delivering fully autonomous targets to air forces and improving safety in high-risk marine environments.
Acting for Ultra Electronics, the defence and security company specialising in providing application-engineered bespoke solutions for mission critical situations, on various M&A and corporate advisory mandates while at Osborne Clarke. Ultra are a longstanding client of the firm for more than 20 years.
Advising the shareholders of Techmodal, a Bristol-based data consultancy and digital services specialist with long-term MoD contracts, on the sale of the company to BAE Systems.
Advising Leonardo on the disposal of its 50% interest in Aviation Training International Limited, which provides attack helicopter training service solutions for aircrew, groundcrew and maintenance training.
Providing UK legal and strategic advice to Babcock Marine & Technology on the acquisition of a 50% interest in a joint venture vehicle established to exploit the development and use of liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel. The acquisition also included negotiations for the future relationship with Babcock's joint venture partner, Bernhard Schulte Group. Read more.
Acting for Sovereign on its joint venture with Countryside to acquire 365-acre Lotmead Farm in Swindon to deliver up to 2,500 homes.
Acted for Vistry Partnerships and Vistry Homes (formerly of Galliford Try plc) in relation to various joint venture arrangements with other developers and registered providers of social housing, including with Newlon at Devons Road in Bow, London.
Acting for HGP on various investments it has made since its initial fund was established in 2016.
Advising L&C Mortgages and its shareholders on the acquisition by Experian Ltd of a 25% minority stake in L&C Mortgages, the UK's leading fee free mortgage adviser (L&C). Read more.
Advising the shareholders of Rendall and Rittner, a leading managing agent, on its sale to Fidelio Capital.
Acting for Retirement Bridge, the UK's biggest administrator of home reversion plans, on its acquisition of a book of equity release plans from an international reinsurance and financial solutions group.
Acting for various developers and investors on their acquisitions and disposal of shared equity loan portfolios.
Advising each of Barratt Developments and Linden on the sale of their management companies, BRAM and Pentland Estates (respectively), to FirstPort.
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