Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Zedra on its majority investment in RBB Business Advisors.
Zedra, a Switzerland-based financial services group, operates in 17 countries across, Asia, America, and Europe, providing tailored and diversified solutions in corporate services, wealth management, and fund administration.
Founded in 1982, RBB Business Advisors, a French audit, consulting, and accounting firm provides corporate services, including tax advisory, accounting, HR and employment law, among others. The firm has developed specialised expertise in cross-border transactions and in advising innovative tech companies, generating over €5 million in revenue.
The acquisition of RBB Business Advisors marks a major milestone in Zedra's expansion in France and its strategy to strengthen its corporate services offering. Zedra has acquired 100% of the shares from the seven partners of RBB's audit division, who had become independent before the transaction, while the six remaining RBB partners have reinvested at the holding level of the Swiss group.
Partners Guillaume Briant in Paris and Sam Gray in London led the Stephenson Harwood team, supported by corporate managing associate Ali Hilass and associate Ghita Filali, with additional support from partner Boriana Guimberteau and Magali Courroye on intellectual property aspects.
This was a complex, high-stakes cross-border transaction which aligned with the team's industry expertise and deep knowledge of funds and technology—two of the firm’s five strategic areas of focus.