Image of Prokop Verner

Prokop Verner

Partner

Email

prokop.verner@aoshearman.com

Phone

+420 222 107 140

Offices

Prague

V-CARD
Prokop is Managing Partner of the Czech Republic. He is a seasoned corporate lawyer who provides expert advice and solutions on domestic and cross-border M&A, contract law and corporate governance.
Prokop represents a diverse range of clients, including large local and international corporates, banks and private equity investors, and advises boards, senior management teams, business unit or function leads on their strategic and operational objectives.

He has a track record of successfully managing complex and high-profile transactions in Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on the dynamic and regulated sectors of energy, telecommunications, media and technologies.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • W.A.G payment solutions plc (Eurowag) on its EUR200 million initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange.  
  • Cordiant Digital Infrastructure (a newly-established specialist digital infrastructure investor) on its acquisition of České Radiokomunikace, a leading broadcasting, media and communications services provider in the Czech Republic.
  • A consortium of investors managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets on its EUR1.8bn acquisition of a 50.04% stake in the primary Czech gas distribution system operator innogy Grid Holding from RWE.
  • Asahi Group Holdings on its EUR7.3bn acquisition of the former SABMiller businesses and operations in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania from AB InBev. The deal marks the biggest acquisition of a foreign beer operation by a Japanese brewer and includes acquisition of Plzeňský Prazdroj and its global brand ‘Pilsner Urquell’.
  • ZETOR TRACTORS a.s. (a Czech agricultural machinery manufacturer) in respect of a joint venture agreement between ZETOR TRACTORS a.s. and VST TILLERS TRACTORS LIMITED in connection with establishment of JV in India.
  • Alpiq AG as Czech transaction counsel on its EUR280mn disposal of 100% shareholding in Alpiq Generation (CZ), which operates two Czech coal-fired power plants, Kladno and Zlín, to Sev.en Energy Group.
  • Aegon on its EUR155m disposal of insurance businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to NN Group. 
  • MTG Broadcasting on its EUR116m disposal of 50% shareholding in FTV Prima, the Czech commercial TV broadcaster.
  • Cisco Systems on its acquisition of Cognitive Security, a privately-held Czech company which focuses on cutting edge research in the field of network security and applying artificial intelligence techniques to detect advanced cyber threats.
  • Workday, a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for human resource and finance, on its acquisition of a Czech analytics start up Stories. A global financial services provider on the negotiation of a bancassurance agreement with a multinational financial institution for the distribution of life and non-life insurance products for individuals and small-businesses in a number of Eastern European countries.
  • A consortium comprising Macquarie Infrastructure Funds and other global investors on the acquisition of a 31% interest in EP Infrastructure from Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. 
  • MIH Allegro, a subsidiary of Naspers, on its sale of Netretail Holding, a leading CEE online retailer Mall Group, and Heureka, the Czech online search comparison engine to Rockaway Capital.
  • SC Johnson on its acquisition of shares in HomeBrands, a company owning household brands including pest control, home cleaning and air care brands, such as Biolit insecticides, Diffusil repellents, Lynn Household Cleaners and Citresin air fresheners, and on the transfer of the HomeBrands business from UNILEVER in the Czech Republic. 
  • Colfax Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of gas- and fluid-handling and fabrication technology products, on its acquisition of ČKD Kompresory, from ČKD Group.
  • A multinational financial institution in respect of the cross-border merger of its Slovakia and Czech Republic operations.České Radiokomunikace, leading Czech broadcast and telco services provider, on its acquisition of Czech Digital Group, the digital terrestrial television multiplex operator.
  • EnBW on the swap of its shareholding in Pražská teplárenská for 41% of the shares in Pražská energetika owned by Energetický a průmyslový. As a result EnBW became the controlling shareholder in PRE, the third largest electricity supplier in the Czech Republic.

Pro bono

  • Member of the supervisory board, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation in the Czech Republic.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member of the supervisory board, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation in the Czech Republic

Qualifications

Admissions

Czech Republic, 2007

Academic

EMBA, Finance, ESCEM France/UNYP, 2004 

Mgr., Faculty of Law, Charles University in Prague, 2002

Languages

Czech
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.