James Bond studio Pinewood’s sale to private equity house gets green light from Financial Conduct Authority
The iconic studio behind some of the biggest blockbusters of recent years – including the latest James Bond and Star Wars films – is closer to being sold to a private equity fund after getting the approval of the City watchdog.
Pinewood Group, the owner of Pinewood Studios, recommended a £323.3m offer from Aermont Capital – or more specifically, PW Fund III – earlier this month.
The London-listed company announced today that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has given the deal the green light. The transaction must now be approved by Pinewood's shareholders at a general meeting on 19 September.
Pinewood first revealed that it was seeking a buyer in February this year, when it appointed Rothschild to conduct a strategic review of the company, with the possibility of an eventual sale.
Meanwhile, in July the group said an 11 per cent uptick in profit had been driven by a combination of Brexit, Star Wars and James Bond.