Walkers advise on sale of Nautilus Trust Group

Monday 25 July 2016

Walkers – a global law firm with offices in ten jurisdictions including Jersey – has acted as lead counsel in advising the former shareholders of the Nautilus Group on their sale of the business to First Names Group.

Nautilus – which was established in 1999 – offers a wide range of services to private wealth and corporate clients. Over the years it has grown organically with offices in Jersey, London and Hong Kong and now employs 70 staff.

It’s claimed the transaction will considerably strengthen First Names Group’s existing international presence and service offering particularly in Jersey, increasing its headcount to over 300 ‘First Names’ in the Island.

It will also add to the Group’s existing private client offering in Hong Kong and London. In due course, the trust and corporate services business will be integrated into First Names Group’s Private Client and Corporate Service Lines, positioning the Group as one of the largest independent providers in the world.

The Walkers team was led by partner Nigel Weston based in Jersey, with global law firm King Wood Mallesons, led by London partner Ylan Steiner, advising on behalf of First Names Group.

Advocate Nigel Weston commented that "we were delighted to be selected by Nautilus for a transaction of such importance to the Group.  We always strive to provide our clients with exactly the level of service they require, and this was no exception."

Nautilus CEO Jason Cowleard said "we very much appreciated the focused and commercial approach taken by Walkers throughout, and the high level of personal, partner-led service.  We felt we were in safe hands, and are very pleased with the outcome."