Vp / Brandon Hire Group merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Vp plc of Brandon Hire Group Holdings Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 1 December 2017
• Last updated: 5 April 2018 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Building and construction
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 1 December 2017
• Closed: 5 April 2018

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
5 April 2018	Decision published
7 March 2018	Decision announced
19 January 2018 to 5 February 2018	Invitation to comment
19 January 2018	Launch of merger inquiry
29 November 2017	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

7 March 2018: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Vp plc of Brandon Hire Group Holdings Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (5.4.18)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

14 February 2018: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA has revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (14.2.18)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

19 January 2018: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

19 January 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (19.1.18)

Initial enforcement order

1 December 2017: On 29 November 2017 the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Vp plc, in relation to the completed acquisition by Vp plc of Brandon Hire Group Holdings Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (1.12.17)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 16 January 2018 (14.2.18)
• Derogation 14 December 2017 (14.2.18)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Matteo Alchini
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

matteo.alchini@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 1 December 2017
Last updated 5 April 2018 + show all updates

1. 5 April 2018

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 7 March 2018

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 14 February 2018

   Derogation and revocation order published.

4. 19 January 2018

   The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

5. 1 December 2017

   First published.