Leading the way to secure largest M&A deal in 2023
• Winner lauded for ability to develop deep, enduring client relationships
Ferdi Vorster was shortlisted for this award on two previous occasions, in 2013 and 2021. He led the RMB team that advised Vivo Energy and Vitol on the acquisition of Engen from Petronas — the largest M&A deal in SA in 2023, representing an important and extremely sizeable foreign investment into the country.
The acquisition, which was shortlisted for the Brunswick Deal of the Year 2023, will combine the existing footprint of Vivo Energy in East and Southern Africa with Engen’s market-leading business in Southern Africa to create one of Africa’s largest energy distribution companies.
In addition, Vorster led the acquisition by Pick n Pay of Tomis and was involved as part of the RMB deal team that advised Life Healthcare on the sale of Alliance Medical Group — awarded the Brunswick Deal of the Year 2023 — and two of the shortlisted nominees — the buyout and delisting of Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) minorities by Liberty Group, and RCL Foods ’ sale of Vector Logistics to AP Møller Capital.
In nominating him, RMB says that he has a strong technical skill and a unique ability to develop deep and enduring client relationships, which have been borne out over his successful M&A career. This is backed up by L2D CEO Amelia Beattie, who said: “Ferdi played a key role in the L2D transaction. His insights and experience ensured that we were able to get the best price for minorities, while remaining pragmatic in his approach. Ferdi provided excellent guidance and made sure we always felt supported. His dealmaking skills are unparalleled, and an invaluable asset to have leading a transaction.”
In previous years, he led the execution of Taylor Maritime’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Grindrod Shipping, Remgro ’ s unbundling of its stake in Grindrod and TFG’s acquisition of Jet Stores out of the Edgars Group business rescue process. He acted for Distell, originating, planning and executing the multijurisdictional deal with Heineken International, a deal which made the 2021 shortlist for Brunswick Deal of the Year.
HIS DEALMAKING SKILLS ARE UNPARALLELED, AND AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO HAVE LEADING A TRANSACTION