Manu Varghese

Partner

Email - manu.varghese@whiteandbrief.com

Phone- +919833108172

Manu Varghese heads the General Corporate & Commercial practice at the Firm, bringing in more than 13 years of experience in advising clients on strategic acquisitions and exits, private equity investments representing both buy side and sell side, joint ventures, inbound foreign investments, divestment of business and assets and outbound investments. Manu also regularly provides counsel on various commercial contracts and general corporate matters covering the entire spectrum of service offerings, from incorporation to dissolution.

Manu has dealt with a wide range of clients which includes some of India’s largest conglomerates, multinational companies and private equity players in sectors ranging from e-commerce, retail, cement, financial services, equipment manufacturing, renewable energy and information technology.

Manu’s repertoire of work includes corporate-structuring, foreign strategic investments in existing and greenfield companies, foreign direct investments, business transfers, regulatory compliance, exit rights and business-critical commercial arrangements. Manu has experience in handling overly complex and marquee transactions including but not limited to regulated sectors such as retail, financial services and mutual funds. As part of structuring corporate transactions, Manu has also handled matters relating to real estate, intellectual property and employment.

Prior to joining the Firm, Manu was a Partner in the General Corporate practice at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (erstwhile Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co.).

Indicative Matters & Experience

Mergers and Acquisitions

Advised a renowned alternative investment fund on its: (i) acquisition of a high-profile retail brand and supermarket chain; and (ii) joint venture with a multinational e-commerce company.
Advised a prominent Indian conglomerate on its acquisition of majority stake in an Indian cable television service operator through a preferential issue and an open offer.
Advised a leading Indian cement manufacturing company on several mega acquisitions in the cement sector notably including the largest acquisition in the Indian cement sector.
Advised a highly reputed British multinational engineering company in a foreign transaction involving the global sale of its business division through an auction process.
Advised a South African multinational consumer internet company on its remarkable acquisition of an Indian online bus ticketing platform.
Advised a major Indian renewable energy company on its acquisition of clean energy assets.

Private Equity

Advised a multinational automotive ancillary company in the sale of its equity stake to one of the world’s largest private equity and alternative investment management firms.
Advised an American multinational investment firm on the acquisition of 26% equity stake in the credit card business of one of India’s largest public sector banks.
Advised an American private equity firm on the offshore divestment of its majority equity stake in an Indian tyre manufacturing company.
Advised a renowned American private equity firm on its minority investment in a leading Indian jewellery brand.
Advised a prominent Indian renewable energy company and its promoter on multiple rounds of investments undertaken by the Company involving various entities including an American multinational investment bank, a sovereign wealth fund, a global environmental fund and a Japanese power generation company.

Joint Ventures

Advised a Japanese multinational corporation in the termination of its joint venture with a leading Indian construction engineering company.
Advised a renowned consumer credit reporting company in setting up its credit bureau business in India by entering into a joint venture with various Indian public and private sector banks.
Advised an Indian mutual fund investment company in a joint venture with a leading Japanese investment management company.
Advised an Indian mutual fund investment company in a joint venture with a highly reputed American investment management firm.