Experience
Ranked as a leading individual in M&A by the Legal 500, Paddy advises companies, financial sponsors, founders and management teams on all forms of corporate transaction, structuring and governance.
Paddy's clients span a number of sectors, most notably retail and consumer, financial services (with a focus on wealth management), insurance, real estate and technology (in particular video games and software development). The majority of Paddy's work is cross-border in nature and he represents global businesses in transactions across the world.
Paddy's experience includes advising:
- Keywords Studios on its global acquisition programme, covering more than 20 target businesses to date across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain and the UK.
- Inflexion Private Equity and management on the sale of the software services business Mobica to Cognizant for £250m.
- Pepco Group (owner of Pepco, Poundland and Dealz) on multiple strategic transactions, including the acquisition of a store portfolio from Wilko (in administration).
- Leprino Foods Company on the buy-out of its joint venture partner, Glanbia plc, from the Glanbia Cheese mozzarella manufacturing business, with manufacturing facilities in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales, for c. €180m.
- PepsiCo on the acquisition of UK snack manufacturer Pipers Crisps.
- PepsiCo on its investment in Romanian mineral water company, Aqua Carpatica.
- Ocado Retail on the sale of its pets business, Fetch.
- Moda Living on the corporate, finance and development contracts relating to the Moda Living brand, including joint ventures with KKR, Ares Management and Apache Capital.
- Medite, a subsidiary of the Irish state-owned forestry business, Coillte, on its joint venture with Accsys Technologies, BP and, latterly, INEOS, to construct and operate the Tricoya plant in Hull, UK.
- Foster Denovo on the acquisition of the business and assets of Punter Southall Aspire.
- R&Q on various legacy insurance acquisitions.
Testimonials
- "Paddy Eaton is a fantastic lawyer. Understands our business and knows what risks we can and can't live with." (Client testimonial, Legal 500)
- Legal 500 [2021-2023] has ranked Paddy as a 'Leading Individual' for M&A deals up to £100m.