DLA Piper advises ASX-listed PeopleIN on strategic trans-Tasman acquisition of Infraworks and Extrastaff

DLA Piper has advised ASX-listed PeopleIN Limited (ASX:PPE) on its acquisition of Infrawork Holdings Limited, a New Zealand-based provider of skilled migrant contract labour and migration services, in a transaction valued at up to NZD56 million.

The transaction marks an important step for PeopleIN in building a more capability‑rich and connected workforce across Australia and New Zealand, aligned with PeopleIN’s long term growth focus. With deep expertise in international workforce recruitment, trades and labour, Infrawork strengthens PeopleIN's trans‑Tasman capability and enhances its ability to meet growing workforce demand across the region. The acquisition expands PeopleIN's Asia–Pacific pipeline of skilled construction workers and creates new cross‑border recruitment and placement opportunities into Australia and New Zealand

Under the terms announced to the ASX, the acquisition comprises NZD24 million in upfront cash consideration, with up to NZD32 million in additional earn-out payments linked to agreed earnings targets. The transaction was announced on 20 February 2026 and completed on 27 February 2026.

Infrawork comprises Extrastaff, a skilled labour contracting business; Visahub, a migration services provider; and an interest in Sky Bourne International, a Manila-based employment agency accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

The DLA Piper team was led by partner Reuben Woods (Corporate M&A), supported by Steph McQuaid (Senior Associate), Tayla McEntee (Associate), William Britton (Associate) and Sneha Kant (Solicitor). The wider team included partners Justin March (Real Estate), Edward Eisdell-Moore (Privacy and IP), Mark Williamson (Competition), Michael Thompson (Finance), David Johnston (Tax) and Pavanie Edirisuriya (Regulatory).

Reuben Woods, Partner at DLA Piper in New Zealand, said: “Congratulations to Tom, Drummond, Adam and the team at PeopleIN on this significant deal. It was our great pleasure to assist PeopleIN on its expansion in the NZ market. M&A deals are a lot easier when you have strong, decisive clients with a clear deal thesis, which was very much the case here."

Commenting on the deal, Tom Reardon, co-founder and incoming managing director of PeopleIN noted, “Reuben, Steph and the wider DLA Piper team were fantastic to work with. Their technical excellence, responsiveness, commercial nous and pragmatism made for a smooth ride. It was a pleasure working with the DLA Piper team on this deal."

DLA Piper is the #1 ranked legal advisor in the world in mergers and acquisitions deal volume, according to Mergermarket's league tables, topping global M&A deals for 16 consecutive years. In 2025, DLA Piper advised on more than 1,300 transactions with a disclosed aggregate deal value of approximately USD97 billion.