Blake Morgan advise on sale of global marine and transit claims management firm

Blake Morgan advised W K Webster & Co Ltd on its sale to Gallagher Bassett International in this significant cross-border deal.

Gallagher Bassett International is a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and has acquired W K Webster (WKW), a UK specialist in marine and transit claims management with offices in London, New York, Rotterdam and Singapore providing comprehensive services to insurers and self-insured corporations globally.

Following the transaction, W K Webster CEO Anthony Smith will continue to lead the company alongside his existing leadership team.

Blake Morgan provided a range of legal advice that included corporate, tax, employment and pensions.

Corporate Partner Martin Kay, who led on the transaction and has worked with W K Webster for over 20 years, commented:

Martin Kay was supported by corporate lawyers Toby Price (Associate) and Eve Cooke (Trainee Solicitor), along with Tax Partner Rob Thomas, Pensions Partners Ron Burgess and Rupert Graham-Evans and Jo Davies (Partner) and Hannah Waterworth (Associate) from the Employment team.

WKW CEO Anthony Smith said:

Blake Morgan is part of TAGLaw, an international alliance of independent law firms, which helped support the successful transaction. Law firms engaged for the overseas elements included, for the Netherlands, fellow TAGLaw members Rassers Advocaten.

Blake Morgan’s specialist transaction lawyers are recognised as leaders in their field, advising on cross-border and domestic mergers, acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and private equity backed transactions. Find out more about their M&A services here.