The Hong Kong Private Equity team is advising the management of ELEVATE on the sale of ELEVATE by the Elevate management team and EQT to LRQA.
ELEVATE is an industry leader in ESG and supply chain services globally, with more than 17 years’ expertise in designing, building and managing data-driven, sustainability linked programs and an operating footprint across 100 countries.
LRQA is a leading global assurance provider operating in more than 160 countries and recognized by over 30 accreditation bodies worldwide and owned by funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
As part of the transaction, ELEVATE’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Spaulding, will join the LRQA executive team.
As innovators in their respective market segments, the combined business will offer an expanded range of data-driven insight, advisory services, analytics and best practice for sustainable supply chain assurance. With in-depth local market expertise, the combination will deliver brand and ESG assurance, cybersecurity, inspection services and training across a wide range of industries including food, retail, electronics, energy, manufacturing, financial services and apparel.
The transaction is expected to complete in 2022, following the receipt of regulatory approvals.
The Goodwin team is led by Douglas Freeman and Edwin Chan, and included Ingram Cheung, Gabriel Lee and Anne Stroude (Corporate); Daniel Karelitz, Sarah Bock, Katie Leah and Benjamin Gossels (Tax); and Simone Waterbury (Antitrust).
For additional details on the business combination, please read the press release.