Osborne Clarke advises essensys plc on its £11.3 million takeover

International legal practice Osborne Clarke is advising AIM-quoted essensys plc, a provider of workplace management software and technology to landlords and flexible workspace operators, on its £11.3 million recommended cash acquisition by essensys Bidco Limited, a newly incorporated company controlled by essensys' founder, previous chief executive officer and current non‑executive director, Mark Furness.

Bidco is also backed by long‑standing essensys investors Sir Terry Leahy (former CEO of Tesco) and William Currie (founder of retail, e-commerce and tech sectors investment specialist, William Currie Group). As experienced investors in essensys and the wider UK technology sector, they believe that essensys is well‑positioned to support the continuing shift in commercial real estate as landlords adapt to hybrid working and rising expectations for flexible, tech‑enabled space.

It is expected that the acquisition will complete during the second quarter of 2026.

Canaccord Genuity is acting as financial adviser, nominated adviser and broker to essensys in connection with the acquisition.

"We have worked with essensys since before its IPO in 2019 and have partnered with the business throughout its journey as an AIM‑quoted company. We are pleased to have been able to support the independent directors again on this transaction and wish essensys well under its new ownership".

Jonathan King, Partner, Osborne Clarke 

The Osborne Clarke team advising essensys on the acquisition is being led by Corporate Partner Jonathan King. Jonathan is being assisted by Associate Directors Ed Nisbet and Stuart Miller, Senior Associate Oliver Woods and Trainee Solicitor Lucia Wickham. Incentives advice is being provided by Partner Michael Carter and Senior Associate Natalie Paddock.

Osborne Clarke's Corporate team, which is ranked in the top tiers by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK for mid-market equity capital markets, 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.