A&O bolsters GE links with French deal double

Allen & Overy (A&O) has scooped its second deal in the space of a week for General Electric (GE) with the City firm advising the global conglomerate on its acquisition of a majority stake in French water treatment company Idex Aquaservices. The magic circle firm is acting for GE Financial Services on the deal, which makes it the first US company to invest in the French water market.

February 28, 2007 at 10:30 PM

2 minute read

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";}

The magic circle firm is acting for GE Financial Services on the deal, which makes it the first US company to invest in the French water market.

The mandate sees GE take a 95% stake, including debt obligations, in the company from current owners Idex Groupe, one of France's largest private energy and environmental services companies.

A&O advised on the deal from its Paris arm with corporate partner Nicolas Bichot and project finance partner Rod Cork in the lead roles.

Idex was represented by local firm, Cabinet Hoche, which fielded a team led by corporate partner Jean-Luc Blein and associate Emmanuel Mansillon.

In addition, A&O last week landed a major role advising GE on a new alliance with French wind farm company Theolia, which generated an additional role for Brandford Griffith corporate partner Laurent Sable.

The instructions underline a growing relationship between GE and A&O, one of 37 firms on the company's UK legal panel.