TagFacts

In July 2004, Derek Vago of Nomura International completed the £521 million public to private acquisition of DFS plc, a leading retailer of upholstered furniture in the UK. Nomura International led the structuring and provided the entire debt financing (senior, capex, working capital, senior mezzanine and junior mezzanine facilities) to support Lord Kirkham’s successful bid.

In September 2003, Derek Vago of Nomura International completed within 6 weeks of initiating due diligence the €433 million multi -jurisdiction sale and leaseback of seven CenterParcs Europe sites located in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium for Pierre & Vacances. AFG underwrote and financed €350 million of senior debt, €30 million of senior mezzanine, €30 million of junior mezzanine and €23 million of equity. AFG pre-sold the equity to a consortium represented by St. James Capital. The senior and senior mezzanine debt facilities were fully syndicated within 4 months of closing with a 0.25 per cent. margin, and part of the junior mezzanine with a total margin arbitrage of 5 per cent. A brief description of some of the other transactions in which Derek Vago was either actively involved or oversaw whilst Managing Director and Co-Head of AFG is set out on the left.