In addition to handling high-value private equity deals for the likes of Naxicap, Lydian is capable of advising domestic and international clients in the financial, industrials, and life sciences sectors on upper mid-market M&A. Questions surrounding corporate governance are a further area of focus for the team, which regularly assists with ESG and structuring questions and advises clients on their entries into the Belgian market. The practice is co-led by Peter De Ryck, who handles private equity and real estate matters, Tom Geudens, and Maxime Colle, whose expertise encompasses public and private M&A as well as corporate structuring. Florence Colpaert is noted for her advice on private equity transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Lydian has assisted us in one large M&A transaction as well as in the structuring of several joint ventures. In all these deals I have always been impressed by their competence.’

  • ‘Peter De Ryck is extremely knowledgeable and efficient. ’

  • ‘Approachable,responsive, and commercial.’

  • ‘Innovative team with a very solutions-oriented approach.’

  • ‘Peter De Ryck is demonstrates a pragmatic and efficient approach, keeping in mind the client's best financial interests in mind the whole time. Clients like to come back because of the establishment of a relationship built on trust and mutual cooperation.’

  • ‘Highly motivated team of lawyers with good knowledge of the venture capital and startup scene in Belgium. A pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Florence Colpaert, the leading managing associate in our transaction, was outstanding.’

Key clients

  • 5N Plu Inc
  • Adfil
  • Allen SA
  • Baloise
  • Bay Street Inc
  • Belfius Insurance
  • Billups
  • Bose
  • Carl Zeiss
  • Ciner Glass
  • Coil
  • DWK Life Sciences
  • Dana
  • Dense Air Limited
  • Enstar (EU) Limited
  • Equals Group PLC
  • Eurovia
  • FMR LLC
  • Fedegari Group
  • Franchise Brands PLC
  • Groupe Astek
  • Groups-IPS NV
  • House of HR
  • IBM
  • IQGeo Group PLC
  • IU Group
  • Kuka AG
  • Kyndryl
  • La Martiniquaise
  • Leggett & Platt
  • Matrox
  • McDonald’s
  • Named Natural Medicine
  • Naxicap Partners
  • Northleaf Capital Partners
  • Plukon Food Group BV
  • Professional Science 360 Holdings Inc
  • Quist Holding BV
  • Riedel Communications International GmbH
  • Roth Benelux BV
  • Saviola Group
  • Schaefer Group
  • Sip-Well NV
  • SteelCase Inc
  • StoneCalibre
  • TopCold NV
  • Vado Beheer
  • Visma
  • Vivalto Home
  • White Bridge Investments
  • Zurich Insurance Company

Work highlights

  • Advised Naxicap Partners on the sale of House of HR NV to Bain Capital, with a total enterprise value of €3bn.
  • Advised Zurich Insurance Company on a funding round by Qover S.A: a capital increase and the sale of certain shareholder's shares to Zurich, resulting in Zurich holding 21.26% of Qover's share capital.
  • Assisted IQGeo Group PLC with all Belgian law aspects of the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Comsof NV.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Peter De Ryck, Maxime Colle, Tom Geudens

Other key lawyers

Florence Colpaert