Ogier has been named the top offshore European M&A firm by financial news service Mergermarket, after advising on a series of transactions worth $86bn in the first half of 2018.
Figures released by Mergermarket, reviewing merger and acquisition activity in the first six months of the year, put Ogier in 10th place out of all European firms, but ahead of other offshore firms.
The figures show record quarter one activity, with the late 2017 deal surge being sustained into 2018 by pressure from investors, a push for innovation and a general rise in PE activity that has rebounded to pre-financial crash highs.
Simon Dinning, Ogier's Global Head of Corporate, said the surge in activity covers a range of asset classes. "Deal flow has continued to be extremely strong in the first part of 2018, with big-ticket M&A deals, often conducted by scheme of arrangement, keeping the team busy.
"The deal flow is diverse – from events businesses, through pharma, hotels and leisure and natural resources. Real estate also remains a significant assets class, particularly in the Jersey market. We are seeing trade and PE buyers looking at a variety of international assets, and PE interest remains strong when looking at local fiduciary businesses as potential targets."