Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has advised InterContinental Hotels Group (‘IHG’) on a multi-faceted transaction involving the acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in the Regent Hotels and Resorts brand, management contracts for an existing portfolio of hotels, as well as the up-branding of the Intercontinental Hong Kong hotel to a Regent hotel.
Regent operates in the luxury segment of the global hospitality industry. IHG will bring Regent within its own luxury hotel brand portfolio, with the aim of growing it from six hotels today to over 40 in key global gateway cities and resorts over the long term. Under the terms of the deal, IHG will have the right to acquire the remaining 49 per cent interest in a phased manner from 2026.
The Freshfields team advising on the deal was led by partner and co-head of global M&A Robert Ashworth, global transactions partner Richard Bird and London tax partner Peter Clements. Antitrust advice was provided by partner and co-head of Asian antitrust Alastair Mordaunt and antitrust partner Frank Roehling. Partner Niko Schultz-Suchting led the German real estate workstream. The team was supported by counsel Richard Blair.
