An-Sofie Van Hootegem

Partner, Brussels

“I assist national and international clients across a wide range of sectors with all aspects of their M&A transactions, both in Belgium and abroad. I am the trusted advisor of several private equity firms and investment holdings assisting them throughout the various phases of the buy-out value chain.” 

Overview

Professional experience

Education and qualifications

Overview

An-Sofie advises Belgian and international clients on their M&A transactions, with a strong focus on private equity. She regularly acts for private equity investors and investment holdings across a variety of sectors, assisting them through all stages of the investment lifecycle. An-Sofie also has significant expertise in structuring management equity packages in the context of buy-outs.

In addition, An-Sofie has extensive experience guiding corporate clients through M&A transactions, carve-outs, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings.

Known for her solution-oriented and hands-on approach, she is highly valued by clients for her excellent project management skills and strong technical knowledge.

Work highlights
  • Sofina: advising on its investments in leading technology companies EG Software and Collibra, its investment in online higher education specialist Proeduca, as well as its investments in Belgian based groups Drylock Technologies and Biofirst (previously Biobest)
  • Hg Capital: advising on several transactions, including its investments in software companies team.blue and Silverfin, and its investment in Induver and Clover, two leading independent Belgian corporate insurers.
  • Waterland: advising on the acquisition of a majority share in X²O from Vendis Capital and other shareholders.
  • Gimv: advising on the recent acquisition of the Spice Factory Group from Gilde Equity Management and the sale of Incendin NV, a company active in the fire safety solutions, to Straco.
  • SiegCo (Verlinvest): advising on the sale of Valtech to BC Partners.
  • Verlinvest: advising on the acquisition of a majority stake in Tom&Co, a leading Belgian pet food retailer.
  • I Squared Capital: advising on the sale of a 50% stake in ITC Rubis Terminal Antwerp to JV partner Mitsui.
  • Proximus: advising on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital in BICS following the buy-out of its joint venture partners MTN and Swisscom.
  • Isabel Group: advising on the carve out of its business solutions division and sale to Wolters Kluwer
  • Mediahuis: advising on the acquisition of Saint-Paul Luxembourg S.A., a leading media group in Luxembourg.
  • Strada Partners: advising on the acquisition of software companies Elsyca and Tasco/Periskal.
  • Cobepa / Verlinvest: advising on the divestment of Carrières du Hainaut to SigmaRoc, a listed UK-based construction group.
  • Edgard & Cooper: advising on the sale of the leading petfood brand to General Mills

Professional experience

2021 –  to date: Partner, Linklaters LLP, Brussels
2019 – 2021: Counsel, Linklaters LLP, Brussels
2015 – 2018: Senior Associate, Allen & Overy LLP, Brussels
2008 – 2015: Associate, Allen & Overy LLP, Brussels 

Education and qualifications

An-Sofie holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Ghent, an LL.M in Corporate and Financial Law from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree in Notary Studies from the University of Brussels.

She speaks Dutch, English and French.