The firm is representing Apax Partners in the announced acquisition of Garda World Security Corporation (TSX:GW) by a consortium formed by Garda founder and Chief Executive Officer Stéphan Crétier and a subsidiary of funds advised by Apax Partners for C$1.1 billion in cash, including assumed debt. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including Canadian court approval, shareholder approval and receipt of all regulatory approvals, is expected to close later this calendar year.
Garda is a global provider of security and cash logistics solutions. With headquarters in Montreal, Canada, Garda has 45,000 professionals serving clients in countries throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Garda works with clients in a broad range of sectors and industries including financial institutions, retailers, governments, humanitarian relief organizations and the natural resources, construction and telecommunications industries.
The Simpson Thacher team for the transaction includes Ryerson Symons, Michael T. Holick, Samuel M. Warfield and Kate Yoon (M&A); Brian Steinhardt, Adam Shapiro, Daniel Kay, Lauren Colasacco and Seth Niedermayer (Credit); Kenneth Wallach, Sunny Cheong and Allison Wilson, (Capital Markets); Brian Robbins and Doug Tang (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Gary Mandel, Jonathan Cantor and Danny Salinas (Tax); Mindy Lok (Intellectual Property); Michael Isby (Environmental); Josh Levine and Marc Hennes (FCPA); Peter Thomas and Dave Shogren (Regulatory); George Wang and Conor Reidy (OFAC); David Vann, Michael Naughton and Etienne Renaudeau (Antitrust); Sam Charlton (Real Estate). Paralegal Issis Palamo also provided valuable assistance.
