CPPIB to partner in $6.1 bln acquisition of Merlin Entertainments
A consortium of Kirkbi A/S, Blackstone Group and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has agreed to acquire Merlin Entertainments plc, a Poole, U.K.-based visitors attraction business. The consortium agreed to pay 455 pence per share, valuing Merlin at £4.8 billion, or US$6.1 billion. The deal is expected to close this year. Denmark's Kirbi, owner of the Lego brand, will hold 50 percent of Merlin following the close, with Blackstone and CPPIB holding the rest. Kirbi currently has a 30 percent stake. Merlin operates more than 130 attractions, including Madame Tussauds and Legoland, 19 hotels and seven holiday villages worldwide.
28 June 2019•8 mins read
