Osborne Clarke advises long-standing client NewVoiceMedia on $350m Vonage acquisition

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has jointly advised NewVoiceMedia, an industry-leading cloud contact centre-as-a-service provider, on its acquisition by Vonage Holdings for an equity price of $350 million. Osborne Clarke worked alongside Weil, Gotshal & Manges and also advised the management team on the process.

The acquisition combines Vonage’s robust solutions with NewVoiceMedia’s pure-play cloud contact centre offerings, providing an end-to-end communication experience for a company’s employees and customers.

Based in the Thames Valley and the largest privately-owned, pure-play, cloud contact centre company globally, NewVoiceMedia is recognised leader in the space. Having advised the company since its series B funding round, it is a long-standing and valued Osborne Clarke client. The relationship with NewVoiceMedia began with Ray Berg, now the firm's UK Managing Partner, who first started working with the management team in 2011.

The Osborne Clarke team who advised on the transaction was led by Partner Robert Wood. Rob was assisted by Associate Directors Ken Wilkinson and Mike Freer and Associate Josephine Healy. Partner Michael Carter and Associate Rhiannon Jones advised on the unwinding of NewVoiceMedia's share option plans.

Rob commented: "We are delighted to have been involved in this strategically important transaction for NewVoiceMedia. The transaction was negotiated in a very short timetable. Timing and NewVoiceMedia's large shareholder and option holder base made the deal both challenging and exciting in equal measure."

Guy Sochovsky, Chief Finance Officer at NewVoiceMedia, commented: "We have worked hand-in-hand with Osborne Clarke for many years. They are trusted partners who provide clear commercial advice and insightful knowledge of business transactions. Working with our other advisors, Osborne Clarke helped us to find the optimal deal structure and then quickly mobilised the necessary team to help us execute it, all of which was hugely valued."

Osborne Clarke’s corporate team is considered a go-to practice for many companies in the tech, media and comms sector, working with global businesses to fast-growth start-ups and market challengers. The team advises at every stage of company development across all corporate issues, from equity and debt fundraisings to M&A, IPOs and JVs.