Mergers & Acquisitions in March 2015

March rounded off a successful first quarter and saw 241 acquisitions of UK based companies, according to professional deals database, Zephyr.

 

One of the month’s main talking points was the acquisition of Lastminute.com Ltd, a UK based online travel agency operator. The company was acquired by Netherlands based Online travel agency company Bravofly Rumbo Group. Together with Lastminute.com, Bravofly Rumbo Group’s 2014 revenues reached nearly €260 million.

 

Another notable deal was the merger of Kraft Foods with HJ Heinz Company, forming the fifth-largest food group in the world; the new conglomerate will be known as The Kraft Heinz Company, with Kraft shareholders taking a 49 per cent stake and Heinz shareholders taking the remainder.

 

Also of note is the announced Slater & Gordon £637 million acquisition of listed insurance outsourcing and technology company, Quindell.