Henley: HMT advises Sohonet Group on refinancing package

HMT LLP led by partner Chris Gow and senior manager Adrian Howells advised global media connectivity provider Sohonet Group and FPE Capital on a refinancing of the business to facilitate further growth.

As long-time trailblazers at the forefront of connectivity and data management for the media and entertainment sector, Sohonet’s customers, from the major studios to post-production houses and VFX shops, have counted on them for over 20 years to provide creative technological solutions.

Sohonet has stuck to its three core principles of value, scalability of solutions and performance (both in terms of the speed with which they can transfer mega-size media files and the security of those transfers provided by their private networks) from inception in 1995. Adherence to these principles has ensured continual strong growth in customer demand which in turn has ensured continual growth of the business.

Sohonet has an enviable client roster within the media and entertainment industries, including seven of the eight largest movie studios worldwide, in addition to the majority of major production studios, post production houses and visual effects companies.

Henley-based HMT, led by Gow and Howells, provided debt advisory services to Sohonet securing a multi-million-pound term debt from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s Growth Finance. The new funding will be utilised to accelerate Sohonet’s growth ambitions.

Rupert Mussen, CFO at Sohonet, commented: “Chris Gow and Adrian Howells took the time to understand Sohonet’s products and proposition. With their expertise and professionalism, they gave invaluable support and guidance which enabled Sohonet to obtain the correct financing package for executing its next growth phase.”

Gow commented: “It has been a pleasure helping a company as energetic and ambitious as Sohonet secure debt funding to support their continued growth ambitions. This is the second time we have worked with FPE Capital recently and we are pleased to have delivered a knowledge-based and commercial solution for them again.”