Neil Millar
Partner - Corporate and Commercial
A leading corporate lawyer with 25 years’ experience in the UK and New Zealand, Neil specialises in mergers and acquisitions, particularly private equity and private company transactions. He is the leader of the firm’s privately-owned business team, responsible for the delivery of commercial services to our owner-operator clients. He also leads our consolidation and roll up team who specialise in managing complex and often large scale roll up strategies.
With extensive and international experience, Neil advises on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions and private equity, business sale, commercial and business transactions for a range of private equity players and corporate, SME and start-up companies. He also advises on practical governance issues, director responsibilities and strategic issues for his clients.
Neil is also a specialist in the field of warranty and indemnity insurance, providing in-market assistance to a number of the key insurers and assisting buyers and sellers with advice in connection with policies and claims. Neil is known for his relationship driven, collaborative and pragmatic style.
Professional background
Recent work
Trans-Tasman sale of a majority stake in Shine Communications
Advised the shareholders of advertising agency Shine Communications (now rebranded as Bastion Shine) with negotiating the sale of a majority stake in the company to Australian advertising agency Bastion Collective, while remaining shareholders and continuing to run the New Zealand business post-sale.
Pencarrow backed MMC buying Aegis
Advised Pencarrow backed investment administration specialist MMC on their acquisition of Aegis. This deal expands MMC’s service offering in the financial services administration sector.
Flintfox investment
Advised Advent Partners, one of Australia’s longest standing private equity firms, on its investment alongside existing shareholders in Flintfox International Limited.
Sale of SnapComms
Advised the sellers on the sale of all of the shares in SnapComms Limited to Everbridge Holdings Limited.
Multiple transactions for Habit Health
Advised the shareholders of Habit Health (including New Zealand Equity Partners) on the sale of Habit to UK based private equity firm, Livingbridge. Then subsequently advised Livingbridge with Habit’s acquisition of Southern Rehab and EAP Services.
Sale of Bauer Media
Advised Bauer Media on its exit from the New Zealand market following the closure of its New Zealand operations due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Sale of Ascot Radiology
Acted for Aintree Finance Limited on the sale of 100% of the shares in Ascot Radiology Limited to Integral Diagnostics New Zealand Limited.
AJ Park acquires Baldwins
Advised on the sale of the business and assets of intellectual property law firm Baldwins to AJ Park, which is ultimately owned by ASX listed IPH Limited.
Admitted
- 2008, New Zealand
- 1997, Scotland
Qualifications
- LLB (Hons), Dip Lp, University of Edinburgh
Specialisations
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Roll up and consolidation projects
- Privately Owned Businesses
- Shareholder Agreements
- Warranty Insurance
- Capital Markets
Awards
- Ranked as a leading Corporate/Commercial lawyer, Chambers Asia Pacific & Global
- Ranked as Highly Regarded – M&A and Private Equity, IFLR1000
- Recognised for Corporate Law, Best Lawyers
Neil Millar
- Office
- Auckland
- Phone
- +64 9 353 9977
- Mobile
- +64 21 495 565
- neil.millar@minterellison.co.nz
- https://nz.linkedin.com/in/neil-millar-16924