Gowling WLG's corporate team has advised key client Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC on the disposal of its F1 business to BCE Limited, a fund managed by Dorilton Capital Management LLC, valuing the business at €152 million.
Williams F1 is one of the world's leading Formula 1 teams and was founded by Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head in 1977. Williams has won 16 FIA Formula One World Championship titles, nine for constructors and seven for drivers making it the third most successful team on the grid.
The transaction was structured as the sale of Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited, which consisted of the sale of the Williams Formula 1 business, a minority stake retained in Williams Advanced Engineering and all other trading assets and liabilities of the Williams Group.
Mark Biddle, general counsel at Williams, said: "The team at Gowling WLG have provided critical, clear and commercial advice and round the clock support to the Williams team through an intense transaction process".
Gowling WLG Corporate partner Kris Rogers, who led the transaction, said: "We are pleased to have worked with the Williams team on this transaction. The dedication and hard work from our team, partnered with incredible support from the Williams team, meant we were able to complete the deal within a very short timetable."
Gowling WLG Corporate partner Stuart Young, Williams client partner, said: "This deal builds on our previous corporate work for Williams and we're proud of our part in launching a new era for Williams in F1. We hope this will restore their presence at the front of the grid and secure their long-term success as a competitive Formula 1 team."
In addition to Kris and Stuart, the Gowling WLG team comprised of Samantha Myers (Legal Director, Public Companies), Kate Seabourne (Principal Associate, Public Companies), Chris Kay (Associate, Public Companies), Sarah Bower and Abby Parkin (Trainees, Public Companies), Michael Murphy (Consultant, Tax) and Michael Lacey (Consultant, M&A).