December 2025, Charles Russell Speechlys advised FIRST, a global leader in event marketing and brand experiences, and its shareholders on the successful sale of the group to Encore, a worldwide leader in event production and technology.
As part of this landmark transaction, Caxton served as the paying agent partner, ensuring a seamless and secure financial settlement for all parties involved. Our role was to manage the payment process with precision, transparency and efficiency critical elements in a multi-jurisdictional deal of this scale.
With shareholders spread across jurisdictions and a carefully sequenced completion timetable, this was a transaction where everything had to line up perfectly once funds were released.
With decades of expertise in delivering trusted payment solutions for complex corporate transactions, we provided:
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All KYC and compliance protocols for shareholders and stakeholders
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Robust security protocols creating a secure and transparent environment
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Timed execution of fund distribution, aligned with the transaction’s closing schedule
Shareholders were onboarded early, compliance checks completed and payment instructions verified and re-verified - so there would be no surprises when it mattered most. Funds were received into safeguarded accounts and held securely, ready for release. When the green light was given, payments were executed smoothly and precisely, ensuring every shareholder received funds exactly as agreed.
This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting leading law firms and their clients in all M&A deals, offering confidence, clarity and a signature service in every financial step.
By working alongside Charles Russell Speechlys and the leadership teams at FIRST and Encore, Caxton helped ensure that this transformative acquisition was completed smoothly, reinforcing our reputation as the go-to paying agent for strategic transactions.
