Advising Opera on the acquisition of Meritus Trust Company Limited

We have advised Opera Group Limited on its acquisition of Meritus Trust Company Limited, a highly regarded Bermuda-based trust and corporate services provider. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
 
The transaction marks Opera's fifth acquisition and strengthens its presence in the West Atlantic – a strategic region of growth for its clients with increasingly global, multi-jurisdictional needs.
 
Meritus brings over a decade of private client experience and a strong reputation for long-term, relationship-led service. Meritus supports families with complex cross-border requirements across the Americas and beyond, and it is recognised for its expertise in family governance, structuring and succession planning.
 
Working alongside Addleshaw Goddard LLP, our multidisciplinary team advised on the Bermuda law aspects of the transaction.
 
Our team was led by Neil McDonald, Head of Corporate and M&A in our London office and included Corporate and M&A partners Rachel Nightingale, Sarah Demerling and Natalie Neto, and senior associates Samantha Walker, Catherine Outerbridge and Malacia Madden; Regulatory partners Benjamin Twidle, Leonie Tear and Sara Hall; Private Capital & Trusts partner Rajah Abusrewil; and Insolvency & Dispute Resolution partner Kevin Taylor, senior counsel John McSweeney, senior associate Trevor Goulet and associate Precious Smith.
 
'We are pleased to have acted as Bermuda counsel on this important transaction, which reflects Opera’s continued investment in building a globally connected, client-first group' said Neil McDonald. 

'It’s been a pleasure working with Opera and their team, and congratulations to all involved in bringing this deal together.'
 
Upon completion of the acquisition and its recent acquisition of Accuro, Opera will operate across eight locations: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Geneva, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, London and Mauritius.