Universally Speaking has received a major investment from private equity investor Phoenix Equity Partners to support the company’s ambitious growth plans.
The Bedford-based company provides leading video game industry clients with end-to-end services including quality assurance, playtesting, audio and localisation services.
Universally Speaking has worked with some of the world’s leading games publishers, including 2K, Remedy and 505 Games, on globally acclaimed games such as Borderlands 3, Mafia and Control.
Universally Speaking founder and CEO Vickie Peggs has made a substantial reinvestment in the company as part of the transaction, alongside Phoenix. Vickie will remain as CEO and will work closely with Phoenix to support the company’s continued growth amid the rapid international expansion of the video gaming industry.
Shoosmiths corporate partner James Klein, who the led the team advising on the sale and reinvestment, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Vickie Peggs and her team at Universally Speaking. The company’s reputation is second to none in a thriving industry, and it’s incredibly exciting to see the buzz and ambition for their future plans. We wish them all the best for the future.”
Vickie Peggs, said: “James Klein and his team have provided unrivalled levels of support throughout the transaction. I have been absolutely delighted to have worked with them on the new partnership with Phoenix Equity. Without question, they consistently went above and beyond on every detail of the transaction. I look forward to extending the relationship with Shoosmiths in the future.”
Shoosmiths advised on all corporate and tax aspects of the sale and subsequent reinvestment. The Shoosmiths team was led by corporate partner James Klein with corporate support from principal associate Katie Yorke, senior associate Bryn Jones and associate Olivia King and banking support from partner Anna Robson and Kat Acott. Tom Wilde led the tax team supported by principal associate Jamie Chambers and tax advisor Jade Edgar.
Shoosmiths LLP is a UK law firm with 13 locations across the United Kingdom, and 213 partners and 1608 lawyers and business support employees. Shoosmiths LLP was named National Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2019 and has been ranked in the top five firms for deal volume for the past four years in Experian MarketIQ’s M&A Review.
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