Shoosmiths advises Five Arrows on inaugural acquisition

LAW firm Shoosmiths has advised Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co., on its acquisition of a majority stake in n2y, a provider of technology-powered solutions for students with unique learning challenges.

The inaugural deal marks the first investment for the Five Arrows Long Term Fund (FALT), which has invested alongside Five Arrows Principal Investment (FAPI), (together, ‘Five Arrows’).

With over €9 billion of assets under management, Five Arrows is focused on investing in companies with highly defensible market positions and has a long history of investing in companies addressing the learning disabilities and special needs space in both Europe and North America.

Founded 25 years ago, n2y is a market leader for research driven digital solutions and materials for schools to help improve student outcomes. 

Five Arrows will become the majority shareholder in n2y and Providence Equity Partners will retain a minority equity stake in the company. 

Shoosmiths worked as co-counsel for the deal alongside US firm Debevoise & Plimpton. The team were led by private equity partner Amit Nayyar and included corporate partners Claire Checketts and Holly Hirst and senior associate Lawrence Renny. 

Shoosmiths features in the top ten most active law firms advising on UK private equity transactions, according to Pitchbook Global league tables 2022. The firm’s impressive track record includes advising on establishing funds, MBO/MBI investments, developing portfolio companies including 'buy and build' structures, restructuring and exit strategies.

Shoosmiths partner Amit Nayyar said: “Advising great clients on their investment into a business which is doing good in society, whilst also partnering with quality co-counsel, is always a pleasure. 

“This investment depended on superb work from our team, including Claire Checketts, Holly Hirst and Lawrence Renny at Shoosmiths, who worked shoulder to shoulder with Jonathan Levitsky and his team at Debevoise & Plimpton, and Marine Le Quillec, Xiaocai Fu and Elizabeth Ward at Five Arrows.

“Congratulations and a toast to the road ahead for n2y LLC, Five Arrows Principal Investments, Five Arrows Long Term and Providence Equity Partners.” 

Marc Olivier Laurent, co founder of Five Arrows, said: “n2y impressed us with their ability to organically grow, scale and execute in a highly deliberate way while maintaining industry leading levels of customer satisfaction. With an increased population of unique learners across the globe, we believe in n2y’s ability to meet educational needs with their proven solutions, culture of innovation and mission driven ethos and focus.”