Gerald Edelman shortlisted for the Private Equity / Venture Capital Deal of the Year at the South East Dealmakers Awards 2023

Gerald Edelman has been shortlisted for Private Equity / Venture Capital Deal of the Year for the Sale of majority of Brownell to Roko AB at the South East Dealmakers Awards 2023.

Now in its 17th year, the Awards recognise the firms, funders and investors that continue to provide excellent advice and support for South East businesses.

The deal Gerald Edelman was shortlisted for involved the majority sale of Brownell, a leading developer of moisture control and humidity protection products, on a majority sale to Röko, a Sweden-based investment company. The price of the deal was not disclosed. The business is based in Park Royal, North London.

The Gerald Edelman team was nominated for the award for several reasons.

1. The speed in which it was completed – from first meeting to deal completion, the deal was completed in three months, which for a deal of this size and complexity is unheard of.

2. It was one of the first deals to require clearance from the National Security and Investment Act in the UK. No one involved in the transaction had dealt with this before. Therefore, it involved significant research and a very complex but detailed plan to understand what was needed and to ensure all actions were completed in a quick and efficient manner.

3. As Brownell had a French subsidiary, the Gerald Edelman team had to overcome the complexities of the equivalent national security clearance in France. This involved increased challenges of language barriers and French advisors.

4. The complexity and uniqueness of the business, and sector. It was not a simple business to understand for the acquirer as it does not fit into a specific sector well – it is an industrial products B2B business, with a manufacturing component targeting the defence (and other sectors) so it really was a unique and standout business and therefore transaction.

Brownell’s CEO, Neil Partridge, commented about the deal, “Nick and his team helped to find the perfect partner, negotiated the initial terms, and efficiently managed the process through to completion. The value that they added to the process was exceptional and we are grateful for their expertise and assistance.”

Nick Wallis, Partner at Gerald Edelman stated, “The deal we have been recognised for was a milestone deal for the team given the speed at which it was executed, the exceptional advice generated and the complexities overcome.

To be nominated is a true testament to the Corporate Finance team at Gerald Edelman, which has grown from a team of three people just four years ago, to over 18 people in a short space of time. A credit to the team’s work ethic, desire and exceptional talent.”

The South East Dealmakers Awards 2023 took place on Thursday 9 February at the Copthorne Hotel Effingham Park