Herbert Smith Freehills advises Engie on entering into exclusive negotiations with Bouygues for the sale of Equans for a valuation of €7.1 billion

International law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Engie, a world leader in transitioning the energy sector towards renewable sources, on entering into exclusive negotiations with Bouygues for the sale of 100% of Equans, following the decision of its Board of Directors, and after a rigorous and competitive process. Bouygues’ offer was the most compelling taking into account all criteria including financial valuation.

Equans is a global multi-technical services leader, which was created on 1 July 2021, as a separate division within Engie. It employs 74,000 people in 17 countries, of which 27,000 in France, and generates an annual turnover of over €12 billion.

The team was made up of 36 partners in 9 different offices spanning Corporate, Finance, Real Estate, Disputes, Intellectual Property and TMT. It was led in Paris by corporate partner Frédéric Bouvet and included partner Christopher Theris, senior associate Sung-Hyuk Kwon, associates Alexandre de Chezelles, Martin Dijos, and Alexandra Ferrier, as well as Alix Dixneuf, on corporate matters; partner Nina Bowyer, of counsel Paul Morton, senior associate Jeremy Griffin, associate Chloë Stonex, on projects matters; partner Régis Oréal, of counsel Christelle Salmon Lataste, senior associate Joëlle Chetrit and associate Charlotte Cunat, on financing aspects; partner Sophie Brézin and of counsel Elizabeth Debrégeas, on employment law matters; partner Alexandra Neri and associate Alexandre Euverte on aspects related to intellectual property and technologies.