CC scoops £2.7bn Punch deal after Slaughters conflict

Clifford Chance has bagged its first successful M&A deal for Punch Taverns thanks to a Slaughter and May conflict.

The magic circle firm advised the UK-listed pub company on the £2.7bn acquisition of Spirit Group, which was announced earlier today (1 December).

According to reports rival bidders for Spirit included the Barclay Brothers, property mogul Robert Tchenguiz and former WestLB investment banker Robin Saunders.

Punch instructs Slaughter and May on virtually all its M&A transactions. However, in this instance turned to Clifford Chance because Slaughters decided to act for Spirit.

As well as advising Punch on the Spirit acquisition Clifford Chance acted for Punch on raising £1,250m of new debt facilities, on a placing of £275m new convertible bonds, and on a placing of up to £75m of new Punch ordinary shares.

The Clifford Chance team was led by corporate partner David Pearson.
The deal, which is subject to approval by Punch’s shareholders, is expected to close by the end of the month.