CC signs on for Sandpiper Group supermarket sale

Sandpiper is jointly owned by private equity houses Europa and Duke Street. The latter is a long-term client of Clifford Chance, which advised the house on its acquisition of Sandpiper in a public-to-private deal in August 2007.

Private equity lawyer Simon Tinkler was the lead partner on the deal, assisted by senior associate Andrew Jessop. Tinkler said: “We’ve advised Duke Street on two other transactions and earlier this week advised 3i on its sale of Inspectorate. Two fish don’t make a shoal, but I think this shows the resilience of private equity.  

“It also shows that clients appreciate our long-term investment with them, and that - especially in a relatively tricky economic and transactional climate - there are huge benefits to working with a team with years of industry expertise.”

Channel Islands firm Carey Olsen provided local counsel for Sandpiper, with a team headed by partner Mike Jeffrey. He was ­supported by corporate ­partners Rosie Stott, James Willmott, Colin Dow and Jason Morgan, and prop­erty partners Chris Philpott and Will Whitehead.

Eversheds partner Aleen Gulvanessian led the team advising Waitrose. The deal is dependant on gaining approval from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority.