DLA network scoops €30m kaupthing deal

DLA Piper's European network is benefiting from a developing relationship with Iceland's largest bank. The firm's London and Netherlands offices advised Kaupthing Bank on its provision of €30.2m (£20.33m) of debt funding to fruit and soft drinks manufacturer Refresco in its acquisition of Polish drinks company Kentpol. But the bank seems far from entering an exclusive relationship. Although DLA Piper's banking team has been acting for the bank on the debt funding side for the last 12 months, Slaughter and May scooped the lead role advising Kaupthing on the debt financing side for Mosaic's £320m acquisition of Rubicon Retail last November. And in October Lovells advised the bank on the provision of £408m of financing on an £817m recommended offer for Matalan by Missouri Bidco, a company formed at the direction of Matalan chairman John Hargreaves and his family.