CC, DLA Piper, Lovells bag Matalan roles

Clifford Chance, DLA Piper and Lovells have landed key roles on a £817m recommended offer for Matalan. Clifford Chance advised Matalan's independent board of directors on the recommended offer by Missouri Bidco, a company formed at the direction of Matalan chairman John Hargreaves and his family. The magic circle firm's team was led by corporate partner Joel Ziff, while employee benefits partner Robin Tremaine advised on share scheme issues. DLA Piper, led by Manchester corporate partner Stephen Devlin, acted for Missouri Bidco. Devlin was assisted by Birmingham corporate partner John Campion. The bid was financed by £408m worth of facilities provided by Icelandic-based bank Kaupthing. Lovells, led by acquisition finance partner Gary Hamp, advised Kaupthing.