Hogan Lovells provides pro bono support to Kuapa Kokoo in relation to Divine Chocolate

Awards & rankings | 10 July 2020

London, Frankfurt, 10 July 2020 – Hogan Lovells recently provided pro bono support to Kuapa Kokoo in relation to Divine Chocolate Limited, the leading Fairtrade company set up by a cocoa farmers' co-operative, to help it secure a new majority shareholder.

With support from Hogan Lovells, Ludwig Weinrich GmbH & Co. KG (Weinrich), which has manufactured Divine's chocolate since it was established back in 1998, has acquired the majority of the shares in the company. Kuapa Kokoo, the farmers' co-operative in Ghana, that were a founding shareholder, will still own 20% of the shares and continue to have board representation. This means that the Divine brand and the unique business model with farmers at its heart will continue to deliver chocolate that empowers both producers and consumers.

The agreement also ensures the company can continue its commitment to Fairtrade, a sustainable and traceable supply chain, and distribution to all its customers and supporters around the world. It will continue to remain committed to delivering positive impact for farmers in Africa. (2018-19 Impact Report can be seen here).

The Hogan Lovells team advising Kuapa Kokoo included Deborah Gregory (partner, London), Richard Ufland (senior counsel, London), Johannes Gross (associate, Frankfurt) and Camilla Froehlich (attorney (South Africa) and registered foreign lawyer (Germany), Frankfurt).