Mark is a highly regarded mergers and acquisitions (M&A) lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience advising corporates and private equity investors on all aspects of M&A, capital markets transactions, and commercial and business transactions. Mark is a ‘hands on’ lawyer who is available as and when required to help clients navigate transactions in the New Zealand market.
Mark assists both local and international private equity investors with their cross-border acquisitions, and companies looking to sell their businesses to private equity investors. He has recently acted for leading international private equity funds including Platinum Equity Partners, Allegro Private Equity, Affinity Equity Partners, Sun Capital Partners, Fidelio Capital, Certares Private Equity, and Knighthead Capital Management on acquisitions in New Zealand.
Corporates, SMEs, and start-up companies also seek Mark’s guidance on practical governance issues, director responsibilities, and strategic issues. He regularly acts for a range of listed public companies, analysing and reporting on key corporate governance matters relevant to the board.
Top legal directories, including The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers Asia-Pacific, rank Mark as a leading individual in corporate and commercial law. He is praised for his commercial acumen and pragmatic approach to complex corporate issues. He has been described by clients as a "very knowledgeable practitioner" who is "responsive, dedicated, thoughtful, proactive and smart." - Chambers Asia Pacific 2021. Other clients note Mark is "a great guy and a very capable lawyer" and "an astute lawyer who effectively manages the most difficult of circumstances in a calm and confident manner" - Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022.
Career highlights
Advising Tourism Holdings Limited (NZX:thl) on its entry into a Scheme Implementation Deed to merge with Apollo Tourism and Leisure Limited (ASX:ATL) through an Australian Scheme of Arrangement. This was the first takeover of an ASX listed company by a NZX listed company by way of a Scheme of Arrangement.
Advising Multi-Color Corporation, a global label solutions company backed by Platinum Equity Partners, on its acquisition of Hexagon Holdings Limited, a holding company for independent New Zealand and Australian label manufacturing businesses.
Advising Caldic B.V., a lifestyle solutions and specialty chemicals business entity based in the Netherlands and owned by Goldman Sachs Private Equity, on its acquisition of Scott Chemicals, a leading chemical manufacturer and distributor in Australasia and Asia.
Advising Traction on Demand Inc, based in Canada, on its acquisition of the business and assets of Trineo Limited, a leading Salesforce consultancy business in New Zealand.
Advising Allegro Private Equity on the acquisition of Toll NZ, a leading freight distribution business, and the sale of the Carpet Court NZ business.
Advising Vimian Group AB, backed by Fidelio Capital in Sweden, on the acquisition of Kahu Veterinary Distributors Limited.
Advising Scan Global Logistics, based in Denmark, on the acquisition of Orbis Global Logistics in New Zealand.
Advising the main equity investors, Certares Opportunities and Knighthead Capital Management, who (along with other third parties) were the successful bidders in an auction bid process to take Hertz out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, on the New Zealand aspects of the transaction.
Achievements and recognition
- Recognised, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Band 1 team, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Global
- Recognised, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Tier 1 team, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Best Lawyers
- Recognised, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Best Lawyers