Carey Olsen has acted on the first Guernsey Special Purpose Acquisition Company
(SPAC) to be listed on Euronext Amsterdam, it was announced late last week.
Together with London firm Weil Gotshal, Carey Olsen partner Tom Carey and associates
David Crosland and Alwyn Fouchee advised Germany1 Acquisition Limited, which
raised EUR250m in its recent IPO despite the current challenging financial climate.
SPACs are investment vehicles that allow public investors to invest in areas
generally dominated by private equity firms.
As blank-cheque companies, SPACs have no operations, but go public with the
intention of merging with or acquiring a company with the proceeds of the IPO.
Germany1 intends to acquire one of more operating businesses where the principal
businesses are based in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, at valuations between
EUR1.0bn and EUR3.0bn.
Although a mainstream product in the US, volatile and difficult market conditions
have meant that SPACs have not proved popular in Europe to date.
However, unlike other SPACs, Germany1 has reportedly achieved a diverse
investor base by attracting family offices and mutual funds, in addition to
traditional SPAC buyers and hedge funds.
"This transaction demonstrates the importance of Guernsey’s strong
relationship with Euronext and its status as a jurisdiction of choice for SPAC
companies," announced Mr Carey, going on to state:
"Germany1 is a prime example of what the right combination of structure,
listing and jurisdiction can achieve, even in challenging market conditions.
Guernsey is well placed to attract and maintain this type of business going
forward."
Peter Niven, chief executive of Guernsey Finance, the promotional agency for
the island’s finance industry, added:
"It is great news that Guernsey has been able to record yet another successful
first and in such difficult market conditions.
"This enhances our reputation for providing an excellent home to SPAC
companies and a domicile from which funds can be speedily listed on Euronext."