Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has supported Indian law firm Khaitan & Co, part of Burges Salmon’s International Preferred Firm Network, in advising its client Firstsource Solutions UK Limited (“Firstsource”), a London-based business process services firm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Firstsource Solutions Limited (India), on its acquisition of Scotland-based Ascensos Limited.
Employing ~3,000 people with offices in the UK, Romania, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago and South Africa, Ascensos will now operate as a separate business unit within Firstsource, retaining its brand and Scottish headquarters and continuing its work with some of the largest household brands including Aldi, John Lewis, and Wickes. Leveraging Ascensos’ international footprint, the acquisition supports Firstsource’s expansion into the retail sector and provides its global customer base with enhanced nearshore delivery and multi-lingual capabilities.
Working closely with its Preferred Firm Network, a group of like-minded leading independent firms from across the world, Burges Salmon coordinates advice across multiple jurisdictions and has a strong track record working with international clients on complex cross-border transactions. In collaboration with Khaitan & Co, who led the transaction on behalf of Firstsource and otherwise provided advice on matters pertaining to Indian law, Burges Salmon’s Corporate and M&A team advised on the UK aspects of Firstsource’s acquisition with a team led by partner Malcolm Donald and senior associate Scott Fyfe.
Malcolm Donald comments: “Doing business in the UK for the first time is as exciting as it is complex, and it’s been a pleasure to support Khaitan & Co and Firstsource on this significant acquisition. The transaction demonstrates our commitment to nurturing relationships with our Preferred Firm Network and we’ve enjoyed working with the whole team at Khaitan & Co to service its client’s global needs and help it fulfil its ambitious expansion plans into new markets.”
Kapish Mandhyan, Partner at Khaitan & Co, adds: "We have been impressed with the collaborative spirit shown by Burges Salmon. Our complementary expertise, and Burges Salmon's understanding of the Scottish market, enabled us to together provide the best possible service and expertise to our client.”
Burges Salmon has a strong Corporate practice advising multi-national organisations and institutions, entrepreneurial businesses and high net worth individuals. Much of the firm’s work has an international element, helping overseas clients expand into the UK and supporting UK-based businesses grow internationally.