East Anglian law firm Birketts LLP has advised the shareholders of a leading supplier of software to the insurance and reinsurance sector on its acquisition by private equity firm HgCapital.

Sequel Business Solutions, formed in 1993, is based in Broadgate Tower, in the heart of the City of London’s financial district, with its Eclipse platform being used by a number of major players in the Lloyd’s of London market and the wider insurance sector to run and optimise their operations.

Mario Garcia, managing director of Sequel, said: “This was a great opportunity for the shareholders of Sequel and for Sequel itself.

“We wanted an experienced and dedicated team of lawyers to help us achieve our goal. The team at Birketts met our requirements in all aspects.

“Led by Nigel Thompson and assisted by Laura Ryan, Birketts advised and guided us through a complex transaction which we wanted to negotiate and sign in a short period of time to avoid disruption to the business.

“We knew that we were getting the best advice and support, and this gave us huge confidence in the whole process. It has been a pleasure working with all at Birketts.”

Nigel Thompson, lead partner at Birketts’ Chelmsford office, said: “This was a complex and high value transaction, with a challenging timetable.

“It required resource from a number of teams across the firm. I’m pleased that we met those challenges, and wish future success for all at Sequel as a part of HgCapital.”

Birketts, which also has offices in Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge, has a total of 56 partners and more than 450 staff, offering specialist skiils in most areas of the law.