CMS advises Compass Group plc on acquisition of Equinoxe Solutions

International law firm CMS has advised global food services business Compass Group plc on its acquisition of Equinoxe Solutions. 

Equinoxe Solutions provides hospitality procurement, supply chain, systems management and facilities management solutions to optimise efficiencies and ensure compliance. Continuing to operate under the Equinoxe brand, the acquisition will see Equinoxe Solutions sit within Foodbuy, Compass’ procurement business, allowing them to enter the casual dining space.

CMS Corporate partner and Global Co-Head of Consumer & Retail Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon comments: “We are delighted to have advised Compass Group plc on this strategic acquisition in the consumer and retail sector. Equinoxe’s sector expertise, combined with Foodbuy’s trusted relationships, will allow them to continue to build their client offering driving operational efficiencies and added value.”

Commenting on the acquisition Karl Atkins, Managing Director for Foodbuy said: “Equinoxe Solutions is a fantastic company, with a strong portfolio of clients and relationships within the marketplace. I am excited that, together with our existing relationships, this acquisition will enable us to further enhance our client proposition, as well as providing a new opportunity for Foodbuy to operate in the casual dining sector.”

The CMS team was led by Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon and included Jeremy Philips, Belinda Sweeney, Melissa Hale and Lottie Caulfield (Corporate); Stephen Hignett, Robert Sartor and James Matthias (Tax); Nick Bailey (Employment); Russell Hoare and Jean-Francois Willems (Competition); Matthew Speed and Olivia Heading (Real Estate); Tom Scourfield, Tom Reid and Jack Rigelsford (IP); Duncan Turner and Catriona Ritchie (IT); Hadassah Shulman (Pensions); and Amy Wilkinson (Dispute Resolution).

Simons Muirhead Burton LLP acted for the sellers.