Led by partner Andrew Windybank, Sparke Helmore advised SCADAgroup and Advent Private Capital on all aspects of the sale, which resulted in 11 times more earnings than those forecast.

SCADAgroup's Paul Chisholm said of the transaction: "While we have been private equity funded since 1997, our major growth came after the teaming with Advent after a secondary buyout in 2006. Advent has been the perfect fit and has had the right focus for the business."

"The sale to Schneider is the culmination of that strategy [and] a key element in the success of the relationship with Advent team was their correct level of involvement. They were always supportive but not intrusive in the day to day operation of the company."

Advent's Robert Radcliffe-Smith said of the deal: "The 35 members of SCADAgroup's management team on the share register are to be congratulated for their efforts in growing SCADAgroup's earnings threefold since we invested."