Francesco Balestra
Biography
Overview
Francesco Balestra is a dual-qualified lawyer (US and Italy) of the White & Case Italian practice. His main areas of practice are Corporate M&A and Private Equity, including FDI, in a range of sectors, including, among others, financial services, industrial and manufacturing, technology, life sciences and healthcare and infrastructure.
Experience
Equiter Infrastructure II, a fund managed by Ersel AM, in connection with the FDI aspects for the acquisition of Deenova Group, an Italian company and European leader in providing automation and traceability solutions for hospitals, from HIG Capital. The transaction also involves Amundi Private Equity Italia joining the shareholding structure, in partnership with Deenova's founder Sergio Giglio.
Rossini S.à r.l., the investment holding company indirectly controlled by CVC Capital Partners that owns 52.51 percent of the share capital of Recordati S.p.A., in connection with the issuance of €1.850 billion high yield bond, issued pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act and listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange's multilateral trading facility market. The issuance consists of two tranches: €1 billion 6.750% senior secured fixed rate notes due 2029; and €850 million senior secured floating rate notes due 2029.
Infracapital and InfraVia, as sellers, and IL Investimenti S.r.l., as purchaser, in connection with the sale and purchase of the 95 percent of the corporate capital in Gruppo Investimenti Portuali S.p.A.
I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. and its controlling shareholders in connection with an investment from BDT & MSD Partners. BDT & MSD Partners acquires its stake from international private equity fund BC Partners. The Vacchi family remains the majority owner of the IMA holding company.
Valmet Corporation, a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, in connection with its €380 million acquisition of Körber's Group's Business Area Tissue. The Business Area Tissue specializes in innovative converting and packaging technologies and services for the tissue industry.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. in connection with a US$2.75 billion Yankee bonds issuance under its US$50 billion MTN Programme. The issuance consists of (i) US$1.5 billion 7.778% fixed rate resettable unsubordinated non-preferred notes due 2054 and (ii) US$1.25 billion 6.625% unsubordinated preferred notes due 2033, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. in connection with a US$2 billion yankee bonds issuance under its recently updated US$50 billion MTN Programme. The issuance consists of (i) US$750 million 7.000% unsubordinated preferred notes due 2025 and (ii) US$1.25 billion 8.248% fixed rate resettable unsubordinated non-preferred notes due 2033, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
Enel Group in connection with a US$4 billion issuance of yankee bonds. The issuance consists of (i) US$1 billion 7.100% notes due 2027, issued by Enel Finance America LLC and (ii) US$750 million 6.800% notes due 2025, (iii) US$1.250 billion 7.500% notes due 2032 and (iv) US$1 billion 7.750% notes due 2052, all issued by Enel Finance International NV, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
