CLP has assisted Liwlig Group Oy in its acquisition of a majority stake in Gyro Holding AS
CLP has assisted Liwlig Group Oy (LIWLIG – Nordic Events Group) in its acquisition of a majority stake in Gyro Holding AS (Gyro), one of Norway’s oldest and most prestigious event companies, from Trikkestallen AS. The transaction is considered a strategic move aiming to consolidate Liwlig Group’s robust growth in the Norwegian market while enhancing its service portfolio. The acquisition of Gyro comes in the wake of Liwlig Group’s acquisition and successful integration of 6. Sans, another leading Norwegian event company, in August of 2022.
Gyro, which retains its name and brand in Norway after the acquisition, has had strong growth over the past four years. The event agency has grown both in number of employees, on the top and bottom line and, not least, expanded with several new business areas. Gyro offers a wide range of event marketing services, such as employer branding, brand activation, media productions & digital, official & public, event travel and professional conferences, and serves a diversified base of clients across a range of sectors. Over the years, Gyro has successfully executed projects for leading Norwegian and international clients in more than 80 countries on all continents. Today, Gyro has an organization of 66 professionals under the leadership of CEO Trine Richardsen (Gyro AS) and Anne Guri Sklet (Gyro Conference AS).
CEO of Liwlig Group, Timo Aalto, commented the transaction: “Liwlig’s expansion into Norway aligns perfectly with our vision of growing our presence in the Nordic region. We have been highly impressed by Gyro’s endurance, especially through the pandemic, its professional approach, highly skilled professionals and their exceptional track record. This was most recently demonstrated in their organization of summit for NATO countries’ Foreign Ministers during the first week of June.”
The acquisition also offers great opportunities for Gyro. Gyro’s Chairman of the Board, Jomar Selvaag, commented: “We are excited about joining forces with the leading event agency in the Nordics, Liwlig Group. We want to grow with our clients, and we see this partnership as an incredible opportunity to create synergies that will benefit our clients, employees, and the event industry as a whole. This is an exciting new chapter in Gyro’s illustrious history.”
Liwlig Group is backed by majority owner MB Funds, a Finnish PE fund.
CLP’s team consisted of Christian Vestheim, Axel Woxholth, Lars Martin Sandanger, Stian Lockert and Vilde Sinding Engan. Krogerus acted as Finnish counsel, with a team led by Sami Martola, and Harboe & Co (Egil Stefan Eilertsen) acted as legal advisor on tax matters.