Osborne Clarke advising Team plc on its £30.3 million all-share acquisition of W.H. Ireland Group plc

International legal practice Osborne Clarke is advising AIM-quoted Team plc ("Team"), a Jersey-incorporated wealth and asset management group, on  its recommended all-share acquisition of AIM-quoted W.H. Ireland Group plc ("WH Ireland"). The acquisition will be implemented by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.

Team has stated the acquisition presents a compelling strategic and financial rationale. The combination is expected to create a strengthened group with enhanced scale and capability, uniting the complementary strengths and regional expertise of both businesses. A key benefit for Team is gaining direct access to the UK market and WH Ireland's regulatory licences, subject to FCA change of ownership approval.

The acquisition, which was announced today, values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of WH Ireland at approximately £30.3 million on a fully diluted basis.

Completion of the acquisition is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, subject to FCA approval and shareholders of both WH Ireland and Team approving the transaction.

Hannam & Partners are acting as financial adviser to Team in respect of the acquisition.

"Osborne Clarke have once again shown why they are TEAM Plc's trusted advisers. Their ability to combine legal rigour with practical, solutions-driven thinking has been central to shaping this transaction and moving it forward."

Mark Clubb, Executive Chairman of Team

"We are delighted to be advising Team on this strategic acquisition. On completion, it will establish a UK foothold and strengthen Team's capabilities across discretionary investment management, financial planning and advisory services. Having acted for Team since its AIM IPO in 2021, we welcome this next phase of growth and look forward to further supporting the business as it continues to execute its strategy to build a leading independent platform on AIM."

Ed Nisbet, Associate Director, Osborne Clarke

The Osborne Clarke team advising Team on the acquisition is being led by Mark Wesker (Partner) and Ed Nisbet (Associate Director), assisted by Rebecca Ewing (Senior Associate). Incentives advice is being provided by Michael Carter (Partner) and Natalie Paddock (Senior Associate). 

Osborne Clarke's Corporate team, which is ranked in the top tiers by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK for AIM, is considered a go-to practice for many companies in the tech, media and comms sector. Its clients range from 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 strategic M&A, IPOs and JVs.