Macfarlanes advises Valderrama Limited on proposed acquisition of Dignity plc.

Macfarlanes is advising Valderrama Limited, a joint venture company controlled by SPWOne V Limited and Castelnau Group Limited (whose discretionary investment manager is Phoenix Asset Management Partners Limited), on the proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Dignity plc.

Dignity is a major provider of funeral services within the UK, offering a range of funeral plans and operating 46 crematoria and 24 cemeteries.

The Macfarlanes team is being led by Corporate and M&A partner Harry Coghill. The team also includes corporate and M&A senior counsels Max Mittasch and Mark Slade, and associates San-Marie Saaiman, Michael Sweeney and Bryony Foley. Share schemes advice is being provided by partner Robert Collard and associate Sam Taylor with tax advice from partner Jeremy Moncrieff and senior associate Joe Robinson. Additional support has been provided by lawyers across the firm, including in respect of financial services, employment, pensions, competition, commercial, finance, litigation and real estate aspects of the transaction. General counsel at SPWOne is Adam Bulmer.