UAE – Linklaters Advises on Major Investment in GEMS Education
Linklaters advised a Brookfield-led consortium on its minority preferred equity investment in GEMS Education, a UAE-based education provider, in a significant private equity deal in the region. Other investors in the consortium include Gulf Islamic Investments, Marathon Asset Management, and the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ). In the transaction, a preferred equity consortium is largely exiting its stake, while GEMS is also raising/refinancing a significant amount of debt.
This deal is one of the Middle East’s major structured capital investments, showcasing Linklaters’ skill in advising financial sponsors on customised capital solutions. These solutions have become a vital alternative financing option for businesses recently.
The deal team consisted of cross-practice London and Dubai lawyers, led by Co-Head of the Global Financial Sponsors Sector Ben Rodham, Private Equity partners Andrew Lynch and Ben Suen (all London), Banking partner Reem Alsayegh and Middle East managing partner Scott Campbell (both Dubai). They were supported by Private Equity managing associates William Peck, Jake Thornton and Frances Hibbert (all London) and Julianna Halbeck (Dubai). Partner Rahul Manvatkar, counsels Amin Ebrahim and Richard Cole advised on funds matters. Partner Natura Gracia, counsel Mark Daniel and managing associate Maria Ziprani advised on antitrust and foreign investment matters.
