Linklaters advises Hg on its investment in Focus Group

Linklaters has advised Hg, a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses, on its investment in Focus Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of essential business technology to SMEs.

Hg's investment will support Focus Group's organic growth plan, M&A ambitions and product development initiatives, enhancing its ability to deliver innovative solutions for the UK SME sector. Hg has made more than a dozen investments in SME Tech Services over two decades and this depth of expertise will support a valuable partnership for future growth.

The Linklaters deal team was led by Co-Head of the firm’s Global Financial Sponsors group Alex Woodward and Private Equity partner Genna Marten, alongside managing associate Ksenija Brajovic and associates Andrew Huxtable, Jessica Bremner, Ayo Thomas, Deepak Nagpal and Asim Ayub.

Partner Oliver Sceales advised on debt financing with associates Carolina Abecasis and Ester Ng, partner Bradley Richardson advised on incentives matters, partner Julian Cunningham-Day advised on TMT with associate Peter Wigglesworth, partner Neil Hoolihan advised on antitrust & foreign investment, and managing associate Jack Harrison advised on tax.

Linklaters has a long-standing relationship with Hg, recently advising:

• Hg on its partnership with CUBE, creating an industry defining regulatory compliance and risk platform
• Hg in relation to its investment in IRIS, representing one of Europe’s largest software buyouts for 2023
• Hg in connection with the raising of significant new investment by Visma, valuing the company at €19bn
• Hg on the sale of Commify to ECI Partners valued at €300m
• Hg on the £1.06bn recommended cash offer for Ideagen plc