Olswang advises on Ministry of Sound Recordings' acquisition by Sony Music UK

This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.

International TMT law firm Olswang has advised the Ministry of Sound Group on the sale of its iconic label Ministry of Sound Recordings to Sony Music UK. The deal sees Sony Music UK acquire the label and its stable of artists, back catalogue and compilations business.

Launched in 1993, Ministry of Sound Recordings is one of the UK's most successful independent record labels with cumulative album sales of more than 70 million, including an astonishing 40 UK No. 1 albums and 21 UK No.1 singles. In the last decade it has successfully launched the careers of the likes of Eric Prydz, Example, Wretch 32 and BRIT-nominated group London Grammar.

Ministry of Sound Recordings’ innovative curation team are responsible for one in every six compilation albums sold in the UK having developed numerous brands including The Annual, Dance Nation, Trance Nation and Clubbers’ Guide.

The new partnership will allow Ministry of Sound Recordings to grow its recorded music offering on a global scale, bolstered by Sony's extensive international distribution networks. The entire roster will now sit alongside many of the world’s most successful modern day artists including Robbie Williams, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Meghan Trainor, Olly Murs, Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams.

Lohan Presencer, Ministry of Sound Group Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted we have found the right home to grow Ministry of Sound Recordings at a global level while keeping its unique identity. Ministry of Sound Recordings had its most successful year to date in 2015 and Sony has the scale and strength within the industry to project our artists and music onto an even bigger platform. The team at Olswang, headed by Mark Bertram, has been exceptional in guiding us through every stage of the deal process."

Olswang's International Head of Corporate Mark Bertram commented: "Having advised Ministry of Sound and its owners across the last 20 successful years, it has been a great pleasure to help deliver this latest transaction. It also played to our all-round expertise in the sector and ability to combine skills across our Corporate, Commercial, Employment and Tax practices. We look forward to working with all the continuing Ministry of Sound businesses and seeing the label continue to go from strength to strength under its new ownership."

The Olswang team was led by Corporate Partner Mark Bertram along with Head of Music and Commercial Partner John Enser, IP Partner Joel Vertes, Tax Partner Stephen Hignett, Employment Partner Melanie Lane, Corporate and Commercial Associate Ed Buggé, Corporate Associate, Philip Walton, Commercial Associate, Rachael Hammond, Tax Barrister Robert Sartor, Tax Senior Associate Jacob Gilkes as well as Corporate Trainees Toby Lovett and Dan Bomsztyk.

Read more about Olswang’s international legal practice on the firm’s website.