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Helen Rodwell

Managing Partner
CMS Bratislava and Prague

Portrait ofHelen Rodwell

Helen Rodwell

Managing Partner
CMS Bratislava and Prague

Contact
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, advokáti, v.o.s.
Palladium, Na Poříčí 1079/3a
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Languages English

Helen Rodwell is the Managing Partner of CMS in Prague and Bratislava.

Under her leadership CMS continues to be one of the busiest M&A legal advisors in CEE. Helen has extensive experience of leading large teams on complex transactions and ensuring clients receive excellent, commercially orientated advice.

She is ranked as a Band 1 corporate lawyer both for the Czech Republic and the entire CEE region by Chambers and has advised on M&A transactions across a number of sectors, including financial services, private equity, energy, consumer products and manufacturing industries.

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Relevant experience

  • A group of investors, led by Partech and including EBRD, Quadrille Capital and J&T Bank, on a EUR 190m fundraising for Rohlik.cz, one of Europe’s leading online grocery businesses. 
  • Zentiva, an Advent International portfolio company, on its acquisition of the CEE business of global generic and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals manufacturer Alvogen. 
  • TPG on the acquisition of the Vector Parks Logistics Centres in Slovakia and Czech Republic from Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA). 
  • Cube Infrastructure on the investment into a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), open-access networks for residential, business and public administration in selected areas of the Czech Republic currently under-served by high speed internet networks.
  • The shareholders in Kiwi.com, one of the most rapidly growing technology companies worldwide, on the sale of a majority stake in the company to General Atlantic.
  • PPF, the Czech-based financial group, on the acquisition, together with Sabanci Holding, of the Turkish bus manufacturer Temsa from True Value Capital Partners.
  • Advent International on the EUR 1.9bn acquisition of Zentiva, a leading pharmaceutical company in CEE. 
  • Mid Europa Partners on the sale of AeskuLab and Alpha Medical businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Unilabs. 
  • Arkance on the acquisition of CAD Studio, a provider of technical support services for autodesk software, from KKCG.
  • Erste Bank in over ten separate M&A transactions in the region since 1999, including: 
    • EUR 3.75bn acquisition of a majority shareholding in Banca Comerciala Romana, Romania's largest bank.
    • Successful bid and subsequent USD 517m acquisition of Česká spořitelna, a.s., the Czech savings bank  (privatisation process), including advising on the re-structuring of the loan portfolio.
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 400m acquisition of Postabank Rt. from the Hungarian State, including a public takeover bid made for the shares of Postabank Rt.
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 160m acquisition of Rijecka banka d.d in Croatia from the Croatian State Agency for Bank Rehabilitation.
    • Acquisition of Slovenská sporiťelňa a.s., the Slovak savings bank (privatisation process).
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 149.6m acquisition of 100% of shares in Diners Club Adriatic d.d. in Croatia, one of the leading Croatian credit card companies.
    • Acquisition 100% of Bank Prestige in Ukraine.
    • Acquisition of Novosadska Banka in Serbia (privatisation process).
    • Proposed bid to acquire DSK Bank AD in Bulgaria.
    • Proposed bid to acquire Nova Ljubljanska banka, Slovenia.
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Memberships & Roles

  • Member, Victorian Bar Association, Australia
  • Member, Czech Chamber of Advocates
more less

Education

  • 1991 - Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • 1989 - Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
more less

Helen Rodwell is the Managing Partner of CMS in Prague and Bratislava.

Under her leadership CMS continues to be one of the busiest M&A legal advisors in CEE. Helen has extensive experience of leading large teams on complex transactions and ensuring clients receive excellent, commercially orientated advice.

She is ranked as a Band 1 corporate lawyer both for the Czech Republic and the entire CEE region by Chambers and has advised on M&A transactions across a number of sectors, including financial services, private equity, energy, consumer products and manufacturing industries.

more less

Relevant experience

  • A group of investors, led by Partech and including EBRD, Quadrille Capital and J&T Bank, on a EUR 190m fundraising for Rohlik.cz, one of Europe’s leading online grocery businesses. 
  • Zentiva, an Advent International portfolio company, on its acquisition of the CEE business of global generic and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals manufacturer Alvogen. 
  • TPG on the acquisition of the Vector Parks Logistics Centres in Slovakia and Czech Republic from Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA). 
  • Cube Infrastructure on the investment into a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), open-access networks for residential, business and public administration in selected areas of the Czech Republic currently under-served by high speed internet networks.
  • The shareholders in Kiwi.com, one of the most rapidly growing technology companies worldwide, on the sale of a majority stake in the company to General Atlantic.
  • PPF, the Czech-based financial group, on the acquisition, together with Sabanci Holding, of the Turkish bus manufacturer Temsa from True Value Capital Partners.
  • Advent International on the EUR 1.9bn acquisition of Zentiva, a leading pharmaceutical company in CEE. 
  • Mid Europa Partners on the sale of AeskuLab and Alpha Medical businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Unilabs. 
  • Arkance on the acquisition of CAD Studio, a provider of technical support services for autodesk software, from KKCG.
  • Erste Bank in over ten separate M&A transactions in the region since 1999, including: 
    • EUR 3.75bn acquisition of a majority shareholding in Banca Comerciala Romana, Romania's largest bank.
    • Successful bid and subsequent USD 517m acquisition of Česká spořitelna, a.s., the Czech savings bank  (privatisation process), including advising on the re-structuring of the loan portfolio.
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 400m acquisition of Postabank Rt. from the Hungarian State, including a public takeover bid made for the shares of Postabank Rt.
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 160m acquisition of Rijecka banka d.d in Croatia from the Croatian State Agency for Bank Rehabilitation.
    • Acquisition of Slovenská sporiťelňa a.s., the Slovak savings bank (privatisation process).
    • Successful bid and subsequent EUR 149.6m acquisition of 100% of shares in Diners Club Adriatic d.d. in Croatia, one of the leading Croatian credit card companies.
    • Acquisition 100% of Bank Prestige in Ukraine.
    • Acquisition of Novosadska Banka in Serbia (privatisation process).
    • Proposed bid to acquire DSK Bank AD in Bulgaria.
    • Proposed bid to acquire Nova Ljubljanska banka, Slovenia.
more less

Memberships & Roles

  • Member, Victorian Bar Association, Australia
  • Member, Czech Chamber of Advocates
more less

Education

  • 1991 - Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • 1989 - Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
more less

Expertise

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CMS Expert Guide to Mastering OECD's Pillar Two in Czech Republic
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CMS advised Packeta Group (Packeta) on the legal vendor due diligence in preparation for the sale of 100% of its ownership interest in the Packeta Group to CVC Capital Partners and Emma Capital.  Packeta...
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1. Summary of private placement provisions for fund interests (if applicable) Czech law distinguishes between private and public placements. In general, private placement provisions apply to funds of...
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AIFM passporting in the Czech Republic
1. EEA AIFM NonCzech AIFMs authorised in their EEA home State may exercise passport rights for management of AIFs in the Czech Republic on a services and / or branch basis. To obtain a passport, the EEA...
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UCITS passporting in the Czech Republic
1. EEA UCITS Scheme  EEA Management Companies may exercise passporting rights for the marketing of an EEA UCITS Scheme in the Czech Republic provided that the requirements of Act No. 240 / 2013 Coll...
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13/09/2023
Turning the Corner? CMS European M&A Outlook 2024
We are pleased to share with you the 2024 edition of the European M&A Outlook, published by CMS in association with Mergermarket.
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01/08/2023
CMS strengthens its Czech Republic and CEE Banking and Finance team with...
International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Petra Myšáková as a partner in its Prague office, effective from 1st September 2023. Petra's addition to the firm as Partner and...
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28/06/2023
International ECM Listings Rules, Requirements & Obligations in Czech Republic
Listing Criteria - Prague Stock Exchange (Official List/Main Market) Type The regulated markets in the Czech Republic are regulated by the Czech National Bank (CNB). Shares must be admitted to trading...
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05/04/2023
CEE Greenfield Guide 2023
CEE countries have attracted significant foreign direct investment in greenfield operations in recent years. Indeed, many manufacturing businesses have focused on expanding capacity in CEE countries...
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10/11/2022
CMS advises Marsh on sale of shareholding in INSIA
CMS has advised Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor, on the sale of 80% of its shareholding in INSIA a.s., including its Slovak subsidiary and Romanian branch, to UnilinkS.A. IN­SIA...
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13/10/2022
Law and regulation of private placement of common stock in the Czech Republic
1. Prospectus requirement Offer to the public. Admission to trading of securities on a regulated market. 2. Prospectus exemptions Key exemptions Offer to the publicQualified Investors. Less than 150...
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Comparable
29/09/2022
Boom & Gloom? CMS European M&A Outlook 2023
We are pleased to share with you the 2023 edition of the European M&A Outlook published by CMS in association with Mergermarket.
Publication
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