Havas UK Limited acquires leading UK digital experience agency, and SMB client, Inviqa

SMB are pleased to have acted for the shareholders of The Inviqa Group Limited, in their acquisition by Havas Group Limited.

Inviqa is one of the UK’s leading independent digital experience agencies, comprising more than 150 employees across eight offices. In this eight-figure deal, the company will be integrated into Havas Creative’s dedicated customer experience network, Havas CX. This move will expand Havas CX’s specialism, scale, and capabilities in experience design, software engineering, technology consulting, and eCommerce.

Havas Group Limited is one of the world’s largest global communications groups. The company employs more than 19,000 people in over 100 countries. As part of Havas CX, Inviqa will merge with Havas’ existing UK-based digital experience agency, ekino London. The combined company will retain the Inviqa brand and be led by Inviqa founder and CEO Yair Spitzer, with ekino retaining its brand within non-UK markets.

SMB acted for the shareholders of Inviqa in the sales of their shares to Havas UK Limited, including working on a number of pre-completion matters before the sale of shares occurred. Our team was led by Partner Natalie Wright and included Associates Lucy Newman, Robert Hepburn, Annika Chauhan, Trainees Camilla Beevor, and Amy Pertwee, and Rebecca Williams.  They were assisted by Partner Tamara Ludlow and Associate Krista Barnes from Employment, Associate Jodie Sheldon from Real Estate, and Senior Associate Raoul Lumb from Tech, IP & Digital Rights.

SMB managed the deal effectively and efficiently with the help of the clients and their other professional advisers, including Simon Meredith of NGM Tax law, Accountants Daniel Walters and Daniel Korn of Harris & Trotter, and Daniel Domberger, Joe Barnett, and Eliza Tracey of Arrowpoint/Rothschild.

CEO and Co-founder of Inviqa, Yair Spitzer had this to say of the team:

“With Nat and her team, we felt like they were literally a part of Inviqa. Always looking for our best interest and helping us improve the deal, up to the last day! Natalie is the best solicitor I’ve ever worked with. Experienced, knowledgeable, creative, and very supportive, especially when we had difficult situations. Very relaxed, cool-headed, and always coming up with clever ideas.

The team Nat had was also excellent. Lucy Newman and Rob Hepburn were top class. Exceptional client service! Tamara Ludlow was also superb, working on UK and German employment contracts and looking after our interests.”

We wish all the best for Inviqa and Havas in this fantastic deal and look forward to seeing what they achieve together in the future.