Simpson Thacher is representing the U.K. investment fund GLIL Infrastructure LLP (“GLIL”), a long-term investor established by pension funds to invest collaboratively in infrastructure across the U.K. and Europe, on its agreement to acquire a majority interest in a UK data centre campus from Yondr Group (“Yondr”), a leading owner and operator of hyperscale data centres.
Yondr will retain a minority ownership interest in the asset, and continue to be responsible for its operational management, following completion of the transaction.
The asset comprises two fully operational hyperscale data centre buildings located in Slough in the U.K, one of Europe's most established data centre markets, and serves a leading hyperscale customer. The transaction enables Yondr to realise value from the stabilised asset while maintaining a long-term role in its operation and future success.
The agreement also enables GLIL to become a majority owner of an attractive asset and further expand GLIL’s digital infrastructure portfolio, which includes an investment in Cornerstone, the U.K.'s largest mobile tower company.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Amy Mahon, Ciaran Cronin, Matt Fowler, Aljoharah Albasri, Ally McCourt, Jamie Lai and Alexandra Gaynor (Energy and Infrastructure); Sarah Lindley and Amena Charles (Tax); Richard Hanson, Julius Rogenhofer and Eileen Tjhia (Structured Finance); Etienne Renaudeau and Henry Llewellyn (Antitrust); Nicholas Westbrook and Camilla Gelson-Thomas (Data Protection); Grace Boos (Regulatory, Sanctions and Compliance); and Jean-Christian Six and Thibault Vasselier (Luxembourg Funds).