Global law firm Clifford Chance has advised US headquartered private equity firm MiddleGround Capital on its acquisition of UK based Integral Powertrain Ltd. (“Helix”), a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electric motors, high-voltage inverters, and integrated electric drive units for a variety of rapidly growing applications in the mobility sector. Helix’s founding shareholders will remain minority shareholders in the business following the acquisition.
MiddleGround Capital has deep experience in the high-performance motorsport sector, evidenced by its portfolio investments in Xtrac, a leading global supplier of professional motorsport and specialised high-performance automotive transmission systems, and Race Winning Brands, a leading manufacturer and marketer of racing and high-performance engine components sold to the automotive and powersports markets. The acquisition of Helix represents a continuation of MiddleGround Capital’s strategy of partnering with leading companies in the mobility sector. Clifford Chance also advised MiddleGround Capital on its acquisition of Xtrac in 2023 which marked MiddleGround Capital’s first investment in Europe.
The multidisciplinary Clifford Chance team was led by private equity M&A partner Neil Barlow, with support from senior associate Mark Inkester, associates Louise Murray and Megan Hodges and trainee Isabella Savage.
Specialist advice was provided on employment matters by partner Alistair Woodland, senior associate Kristen Hammond and associate Amber Mullins; on tax matters by partner Nicola Hemsley and associate Archie Zverev; on antitrust and regulatory matters by partner Sue Hinchliffe and associate Maria Sowinska; on IP matters by partner Don McCombie and senior associate Sean Wood; and on real estate by partner Alis Pay and senior associates Katie Kempthorne and Alice Raine.
