Jean-François Carrier

We are proud to have advised The SPAR Group Ltd (JSE: SPP) on the sale of its entire shareholding in SPAR Switzerland to a Swiss family office.   This was one of the most complex and high-profile transactions in the Swiss retail sector in recent years, involving: • a network of more than 350 stores, 11 cash & carry outlets and one distribution centre, • a process beginning with a full strategic review for the SPAR Board, • a structured sell-side auction under regulatory and legacy challenges, • and ultimately, a clean transfer of ownership back into Swiss hands.   The transaction valued the business at CHF 46.5 million equity value, with the potential for an additional CHF 30 million earn-out. In recent years, SPAR Switzerland contributed approx. ZAR 16 billion (approx. EUR 800 million) to Group turnover, underlining the scale of this divestment.   The Group, which holds several SPAR country licences of the Dutch SPAR network, has been streamlining its international portfolio to maximise the return on capital allocated. The Swiss divestment follows last year’s sale of its Polish operations.   SPAR International is the world’s leading voluntary food retail chain and the largest independent supermarket retail network globally.   The transaction signed and closed on the same day, 8 September 2025 — a demonstration of precision M&A execution.   Congratulations to the deal team: Marcel Franzen, Irshaad Paruk, Sibonelo Mdluli, Tarryn Witten.   At Clairfield, we specialise in navigating complex, high-stakes transactions and delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients. Proud to have partnered with RMB - Rand Merchant Bank, our South African partner firm, on this landmark transaction for SPAR. Link to SPAR’s official announcement: https://lnkd.in/dZRF6KGB #DefinedByYourSuccess #retail #mergersandacquisitions #crossborder #precision #complexity

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'Digital Assurance is about building confidence and security in an era of constant technological disruption,’ says Yan Borboën, Partner & Leader Digital Assurance & Trust at PwC Switzerland. In our new issue of the Disclose Magazine, he explains why it’s not enough for systems to work, they must be trustworthy. Discover how organisations can turn complexity into opportunity by managing digital risk with confidence. 👉 Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/d56Q7AN9 #PwCInsights #DiscloseMagazine #DigitalAssurance #TrustInTech #WhatMatters

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🇨🇭 The Swiss Venture Capital landscape at a glance 🚀 🗺️ The NEW Venture Capital Map 2025, highlighting funds based in and investing in Switzerland. This map provides an overview of managers with VC vehicles that have been in fundraising phase over the last five years, and includes fund offerings for institutional investors. 💰 🤝🏼 Prepared by the Swiss Startup Association presented & based on the Swiss Venture Capital Report 2025 by SECA - SECA - Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association & Startupticker.ch Stefan Kyora, Thomas Heimann, MSc, Regula Bleuler

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 #Wealth erosion, #succession worries, and overwhelming #complexity — Michael Welti of Banque Heritage explains in seven key points how Swiss Private Banks address the typical stress factors faced by wealthy families https://lnkd.in/dyTWUF_u Banque Heritage #SwissBanking #WealthManagement #Finance

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Why are Swiss lawmakers pushing back on new AML compliance laws? A look at global financial competition can give us the answer. Switzerland, long the world’s top wealth management hub, is now under pressure from faster-growing rivals like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE. At the same time, new AML and transparency rules demand more disclosure, more due diligence, and more bureaucracy. This reflects the broader dilemma facing European financial hubs, which risk losing their status to rapidly rising Asian hubs. For businesses, compliance is now often seen as a competitive advantage, because, it builds trust, credibility, and long-term resilience. But for certain economies, the same compliance can feel like an additional cost. In a hyper-competitive world, every extra burden risks driving clients and capital into the hands of rivals. The solution is not to abandon AML. Transparency and trust are non-negotiable. The solution is using the right tech infrastructure to ensure that compliance prevents de-risking both at micro at well as macro level. Technology that allows businesses to comply without adding friction that drives users away. Technology that allows countries to uphold global AML standards without losing their edge as financial hubs. Because in today’s world, compliance and competitiveness don’t have to be trade-offs — if technology bridges the gap. #AML #Compliance #FinancialHubs https://lnkd.in/d4iJ4QRy

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🇨🇭 Why Switzerland Remains a Global Safe Haven – Insights from Patrick Odier In a PE FORUM exclusive fireside chat hosted by Khaled Abou Zahr, Patrick Odier, Chairman of Lombard Odier Group’s Supervisory Board and Chair of Building Bridges, shared why Switzerland remains a true safe haven in global finance. He explained that Switzerland’s tradition of neutrality, regulatory balance, and service-oriented wealth management culture continue to attract investors in times of uncertainty. Beyond stability, Odier stressed that the country’s unique ability to bring together finance, international organizations, science, and civil society within a close ecosystem makes it a powerful hub for innovation in sustainable and private markets. 🎥 Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eKqfjSSy Filmed at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva

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Lexology has released an updated edition of its “In-House View” on Swiss M&A, featuring revised contributions from Baker McKenzie Switzerland’s Alexander Blaeser, Fabienne Bretscher, Matthias Courvoisier, Joachim Frick and Markus Wolf. The publication includes comprehensive analyses of the following topics: ▶️ Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), by Matthias Courvoisier ▶️ Distressed M&A, by Alexander Blaeser and Markus Wolf ▶️ Acquisition financing, by Markus Wolf ▶️ Legal remedies and pitfalls for sellers in pre-closing M&A disputes, by Fabienne Bretscher and Joachim G. Frick To read the insights, you can access the “In-House View” 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gEkkwrTM Lexology’s “In-House View” on Swiss M&A provides a topical analysis of the legal framework, opportunities, challenges and risks associated with M&A transactions in Switzerland. The publication discusses key trends, legislative developments and additional factors influencing strategic decision-making. #BakerMcKenzie #BakerMcKenzieSwitzerland #TransactionalPowerhouse #MandA #Switzerland #Financing #Disputes

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