Charles Russell Speechlys advises FIRST and its shareholders on sale to Encore

Charles Russell Speechlys has advised FIRST, a global leader in event marketing and brand experiences, and its shareholders on the sale of the group to Encore, a global leader in event production and technology.

Our team supported FIRST and its shareholders from the outset of the process, assisting with preparation and readiness activities before leading on the execution of the transaction to a successful completion. 

With nearly 15 years of expertise in outsourced delivery models and a 30-year legacy in the industry, FIRST has a proven track record of managing dedicated teams that elevate B2B event programs worldwide. With offices in New York, London and Singapore, FIRST combines global reach with local expertise to deliver innovative, scalable solutions for corporate campuses and project-based event planning and production, supporting more than 15,000 events annually.

This strategic partnership further strengthens Encore’s ability to support clients in major global regions. By combining Encore’s international presence with FIRST’s embedded on-campus approach, the unified company will be able to deliver even more innovative solutions to customers across North America, EMEA, and APAC.

Barry Richards, President at FIRST, commented:

“We are immensely grateful to the team at Charles Russell Speechlys for their unwavering commitment and expert guidance throughout this sale process. The Charles Russell Speechlys team are our long term partners and they have been there every step of the way. They were meticulous in their preparation and brought real deal nous to the table in what was a multi-jurisdictional and complex deal, coordinating multiple workstreams to deliver a smooth and timely closing. They conducted themselves with a considered approach throughout, balancing the needs of all stakeholders and helping drive continuity for our employees and momentum into new ownership.”

Mark Howard, Corporate Partner, commented:

“We are delighted to have advised the FIRST team on this transformative acquisition. Our relationship with FIRST spans many years, during which time we have worked closely with the leadership team on many matters. We are proud to have supported them in navigating the complexities of an international transaction that will further enhance their ability to deliver exceptional event experiences globally.”

The team was led by Corporate Partner Mark Howard and Associate Ayman Shehata, with support most recently from Tom Smitham, Desiree Pedersen and Isabella Mullarkey. The wider deal team included Robert Birchall, Tessa Newman, and Tim Edgar (Corporate Tax and Incentives) and Mike Powner and Sophie Rothwell (Employment).