Shoosmiths
Investment into renowned game sector firm
Universally Speaking has received a major investment from private equity investor Phoenix Equity Partners to support the company’s ambitious growth plans. The Bedford-based company provides leading video game
industry clients with end-to-end services including quality assurance, playtesting, audio and localisation services. Universally Speaking has worked with some of the world’s leading
games publishers, including 2K, Remedy and 505 Games, on globally acclaimed games such as Borderlands 3, Mafi a and Control. Universally Speaking founder and CEO Vickie Peggs has made a
substantial reinvestment in the company as part of the transaction, alongside Phoenix. Vickie will remain as CEO and will work closely with Phoenix to support the company’s continued growth amid the rapid international expansion of the video gaming industry. Shoosmiths corporate partner James Klein, who the led the team advising on the sale and reinvestment, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Vickie Peggs and her team at Universally Speaking. T e company’s reputation is second to none in a thriving industry, and it’s incredibly exciting to see the buzz and ambition for their future plans. We wish them all the best for the future.” Vickie Peggs, said: “James Klein and his
team have provided unrivalled levels of support throughout the transaction. I have been absolutely delighted to have worked with them on the new partnership with Phoenix Equity. “Without question, they consistently went above
and beyond on every detail of the transaction. I look forward to extending the relationship with Shoosmiths in the future.” Shoosmiths advised on all corporate and tax
aspects of the sale and subsequent reinvestment. T e Shoosmiths team was led by corporate partner James Klein with corporate support from principal associate Katie Yorke, senior associate Bryn Jones and associate Olivia King and banking support from
42 ALL THINGS BUSINESS
James Klein Corporate Partner Shoosmiths
partner Anna Robson and Kat Acott. Tom Wilde led the tax team supported by principal associate Jamie Chambers and tax advisor Jade Edgar. Shoosmiths LLP is a UK law firm with 13
locations across the United Kingdom, and 213 partners and 1608 lawyers and business support employees. Shoosmiths LLP was named National Firm of the Year at T e Lawyer Awards 2019 and has been ranked in the top fi ve fi rms for deal volume for the past four years in Experian MarketIQ’s M&A Review.
To fi nd out more about Shoosmiths, visit
www.shoosmiths.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
