CHRIS HENNIKER FROM CANARY WHARF OFFICE ASSISTS WITH £18M SALE OF SLE TO (FTSE AIM LISTED) INSPIRATION HEALTHCARE GROUP PLC
Chris Henniker, Partner at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors and specialist in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, recently assisted with the sale of SLE (the global provider of neonatal ventilation products) to FTSE AIM listed Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC.
The family-run business, SLE, was founded back in 1956 by Denis Nelligan, an EEG hospital technician at the time. Over the decades the company has invested and advanced its neonatal products, winning the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2009. Today, SLE is a leader in its field of neonates – a highly specialised and niche area that improves the future well-being of some of the most critical babies.
The £18M deal saw Managing Director, Bernard Nelligan, working closely with Chris Henniker to receive proactive, commercial advice throughout the diligence process for Inspiration Healthcare.
The sales process was naturally halted back in March due to the Covid pandemic while both SLE and Inspiration Healthcare supported the government’s initiative to increase the production of ventilators to support the NHS.
Despite the disruptions to the sales process, all involved in the project worked tirelessly – taking instruction, providing purchase agreements, reviewing and negotiating the legal documentation (after the due diligence process) until the deal was concluded.
Bernard Nelligan, Managing Director for SLE said “Improving the wellbeing of the tiniest of patients has been close to our hearts for 60 years and I have no doubt this will continue under the ownership of Inspiration Healthcare.”
Inspiration Healthcare is set to become a world leader in neonatal intensive care equipment and the acquisition of SLE enables the leverage of international distribution networks, the ability to explore new markets and grow shared manufacturing skills and expertise.
SLE’s key management team will be staying with the business long-term and together the companies will continue to innovate and develop life-saving products.
Chris Henniker concludes “I’m delighted that we sealed the deal – it was a great team effort by all involved and a real pleasure to see the amazing products and skill sets of both companies coming together for the greater good. I will watch their impact on the world with great satisfaction.”
For more information on Chris’s experience please view his profile here