Ashurst advises on the sale of Oxford Instruments' quantum business, NanoScience
11 June 2025
Global law firm Ashurst is advising Oxford Instruments plc, a leading provider of high technology products and services to industry and scientific research communities, on the sale of its quantum-focused business Oxford Instruments NanoScience to Quantum Design, International Inc.
The divestment will better enable Oxford Instruments to focus on its remaining businesses. Subject to regulatory approvals, the sale is expected to complete in the third quarter of FY2025/26.
The cross-border Ashurst team is being led by corporate partner James Fletcher, supported by senior associate Colin Bugler, associates Marisa Muramatsu, Hassan Naveed, Lucy McLaughlan and Vienna Linley. Partner David Futter and senior associate Denae Erasmus advised on commercial matters and partner Crowley Woodford, counsel John Gordon and senior associates David Pemberton and Hannah Martin advised on employment and pension aspects. Tax advice was provided by partner Nicholas Gardner and senior associate Umut Bektas, and finance advice was provided by partner Tim Rennie. Property advice is being provided by partner Tim Regis and associate Suzan Altinpinar. The wider team includes Germany-based partners Florian Hirschmann and Andreas Mauroschat, and counsel Volker Germann and Judith von der Heydt, and Shanghai-based partner Michael Sheng and counsel Derek Wang.
