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Burges Salmon advises Balaena on the acquisition of APCL Group

By Rupert Weston

25 Jun 2026 1 min read

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The firm has advised the Balaena Group on its acquisition of APCL Group from Peel Group.

The transaction, which completed on 10 June 2026, represents a significant step for Balaena in expanding its UK maritime and engineering footprint. APCL Group operates three established shipyard facilities across key regional locations (Birkenhead (Cammell Laird), Falmouth and Tyneside), supporting a broad range of industrial, defence and infrastructure activity.

We advised Balaena in relation to both the acquisition and associated debt financing elements of the transaction.

“This is a landmark acquisition for Balaena, securing a portfolio of strategically important UK shipyards with strong operational heritage and future potential. It has been a pleasure to support the Balaena team on a complex and multi-faceted transaction which has created a strong platform for future, long-term growth in a sector which is key to the UK’s Industrial Strategy.”

Rupert Weston, Partner

“This acquisition represents a key milestone for Balaena as we continue to build a high-quality maritime and engineering platform in the UK. The Burges Salmon team provided clear, pragmatic advice throughout, helping us navigate a complex, multi-workstream transaction. We are very grateful for their support and guidance throughout the process.”

Simon Gillett, Chief Executive Officer at Balaena

The team was led by Rupert Weston, supported by Oli Gingell, Gina Green and Matthew Pegler. The firm also advised Balaena on the debt financing aspects of the transaction, led by Rachael Ruane with support from Ali Rattrey and Lovelace Odoi. Drawing on expertise from across the firm, the transaction was further supported by specialists in the Tax, Real Estate, Regulatory, Commercial and Pensions teams.