A&O Shearman advising FD Technologies on recommended GBP570 million takeover offer from TA Associates

KX is trusted by the world's top investment banks, aerospace and defense, high-tech manufacturing, and health and life sciences organizations to deliver advanced data algorithms, insights, and analytics at scale and speed.

TA Associates is a leading global private equity firm focused on scaling growth in profitable companies. Since 1968, TA has invested in more than 560 companies across its five target industries—technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer, and business services—including over 300 software companies and 60 financial services companies. The offer will be implemented by Kairos Bidco Limited (Bidco), a newly formed company indirectly owned by entities forming part of TA Associates Fund XV.

The transaction marks the latest chapter in A&O Shearman’s long-standing relationship with FD Technologies, with the firm most recently advising FD Technologies on the sale of its First Derivatives division to U.S. software group EPAM for approximately GBP230m in late 2024.

M&A partner Matt Hamilton-Foyn said, ‘FD Technologies helps companies around the world realize the true value of their data to accelerate innovation and make faster, more confident decisions. They’re a fantastic company, and this transaction speaks to the success of FD’s management team in positioning KX as a highly differentiated offering in the data and analytics software market. We are very proud to be supporting them.’

The A&O Shearman team was led by London M&A partners Matt Hamilton-Foyn and Seth Jones, with support from senior associate Anthony Bowen, associate Ben Walker, and trainee Tamara Pereira. Incentives advice is being provided by partner Mahesh Varia and associate Betty Lorimer. Antitrust advice is being provided by partners David Weaver and Jonathan Cheng, senior associate Gabriella Griggs, and associates Isabella Harris and Andrew Shaeffer.