Oxford: Penningtons Manches advises on sale of global datacomms provider

UK-based Hermes Datacommunications International, a global provider of managed network services for the upstream oil and gas industry, has been sold to global satellite communications service provider SpeedCast International.

A multi-disciplinary Penningtons Manches team, led by corporate partner Will Axtell, advised the shareholders of Hermes Datacomms on the complex cross-border sale which involved corporate, tax, real estate and employment lawyers from the firm’s Oxford and London offices.

The sale will significantly strengthen the combined entity’s capabilities to service their customers in the primary energy markets around the world including Russia, Central Asia, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Hermes Datacomms has over 20 years’ experience of providing managed services to the upstream oil and gas industry in 54 countries, representing 92% of the world’s oil & gas reserves and has an extensive portfolio of blue chip energy customers. The company specialises in providing a broad range of communications services including satellite communications, fibre connectivity and radio services for the oil & gas industry, to some of the most remote and challenging locations in the world, both onshore and offshore.

Giles Middleton, CEO of Hermes Datacomms, said: “The sale of our company was hugely important to us. We were delighted to be supported by Penningtons Manches throughout the process. Will Axtell and his team offered guidance and support on the key legal issues as well as high-quality, practical advice on getting the deal done.    They worked tenaciously and creatively to find the best solutions to help ensure the deal reached a successful outcome."