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Brunswick Group is working for Merlin Entertainments as the owner of Legoland Resorts, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds wax museums agrees to a $7.6B takeover in what the Financial Times calls “one of the largest European buyouts in recent history.”
Blackstone private equity giant, Denmark’s Kristiansen family, which controls Lego toymaker, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board form the consortium that is acquiring the British firm that runs family-based brands/attractions in 25 countries.
Merlin’s UK businesses have been hurt by Brexit and criticism that some of its parks are dated and too expensive, according to the FT.
Joe Baratta, Blackstone’s global head of private equity, said his firm is ready to “commit the substantial resources required to support the long-term objectives of Merlin” and looks forward “to backing Nick Varney and his strong management team.”
Brunswick’s Simon Sporborg, Fiona Micallef-Eynard and Daniel Holgersson are PR advisors to Merlin.
FTI Consulting’s Neil Doyle, Louisa Feltes and Ed Bridges are working for Blackstone and the Kristiansen family’s investment arm.
Edelman handles Viking Holdings, the river and ocean luxury cruise line that plans to raise $1B via an IPO priced in the $21 to $25 per share range.
Teneo is handling the initial public offering of CVC Capital Partners, one of Europe’s largest private equity firms with nearly $200B in assets under management.
Brunswick Group represents Endeavor Group Holdings as it agrees to go private via its acquisition by Silver Lake technology investment firm, which is handled by Edelman Smithfield.
Tod Donhauser, a nine-year veteran of Edelman, has joined H/Advisors Abernathy as managing director and head of its San Francisco office.
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