MML Capital and Sports Investment Partners back Arena

The investment is made in exchange for a significant minority stake and will support the international expansion of the company, particularly in the Far East.

Following the transaction, Matthew Wheeler, a senior figure in the sports marketing industry and managing partner of SIP, has taken over as chairman of Arena and will work alongside the existing management team.

Company
Headquartered in St Ives, the Arena Group provides bespoke temporary venues for events including sports, music, broadcast, media, corporate brand event, conferences and exhibitions. With divisions within the company including Arena Seating, Arena Structures, Arena Scaffolding, Arena Overlay and Arena Interiors the company operates across the globe including Europe, Middle East, America and Asia. Arena will be involved in the construction of venues for the upcoming Olympic Games in London this year.

People
Bal Johal led the deal for MML alongside Luke Jones, Robert Devonshire and Gemma Chivers. Johal is to take a seat on the Arena board following the investment. Matthew Wheeler and Sir Martin Broughton led the deal for SIP. Greg Lawless is CEO of Arena Group.

Advisers
Equity (MML Capital) - Taylor Wessing, Tom Cartwright, Edward Storey (Legal); Deloitte, Sarah Stuart (Financial due diligence); Deloitte, Oliver Hemming (Commercial due diligence); Deloitte, Carol Hindle (Tax due diligence).
Equity (SIP) - Couchmans, Satish Khandke (Legal)
Company - C.W Downer & Co, Philip Smith (Corporate finance); Speechleys, Chris Putt, John Legget, Sarah Wiggington (Legal).

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• Topics
• UK / Ireland
• Expansion
• Industrials
• United Kingdom
• MML Capital Partners