March 16, 2020
REST committed to invest in a Macquarie Infrastructure Partners-controlled vehicle that intends to acquire and take private Cincinnati Bell Inc.
Willkie represented Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST), an Australian pension trust, in its co-investment alongside funds managed by Ares Management Corporation (Ares) and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) to acquire and take private Cincinnati Bell Inc., an integrated communications company (NYSE: CBB), for approximately $2.9 billion, including debt. The acquisition by MIRA was originally announced on March 13, 2020.
REST was established in 1988. Open to all Australians, REST is among the largest fund by membership with around 2 million members and $57 billion in funds under management (as at June 2019).
CBB delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions.
The Willkie team was led by partner Archie Fallon and included counsel Daniel Elizondo and associate Warren Knull, with assistance from partners Mark Proctor and Robert Jacobson.
