Strong Demand For BVI Structures

The British Virgin Islands office of leading international offshore law firm Ogier has noted that its involvement in a number of global transactions over recent months is reflective of the strong demand of late for BVI-based corporate structures.

Recent high-profile transactions involving BVI structures have included:

• Canadian-based financial institution Scotiabank’s USD1bn acquisition of a 51% stake in Colombia’s Banco Colpatria Red Multibanca Colpatria S.A., that country’s fifth largest financial group, representing Scotiabank’s largest ever-international takeover;
• UK private equity group CVC Capital Partners’ purchase of a 51% controlling stake in Virgin Active - the fitness chain part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, valued at GBP900m;
• Australian-listed diversified services company UGL Limited’s GBP77.5m acquisition of the trading operations of UK-listed property services company DTZ; and,
• NYSE-listed global agri-tech provider, Monsanto Company’s acquisition of Beeologics, a start-up that researches and develops biological tools for targeted pest and disease control.

“The array of blue-chip companies, geographies and industry sectors covered by these deals underscore Ogier BVI’s capabilities as a trusted advisor to international business on all types of corporate transactions,” said Ray Wearmouth, Managing Partner, Ogier BVI.

“Ogier’s involvement in these arrangements also represent the continued confidence of the global financial community in the BVI as a stable and high-quality jurisdiction for structuring multi-national transactions,” he added.