Jam for DWF, SJB and Weil on Burton’s sale

The institutional buyout of the maker of Jammie Dodger biscuits and Wagon Wheels, Burton’s Foods, has gifted roles to the parties’ longstanding advisers.

Burton’s Foods looked to north-west firm DWF while purchaser Duke Street Capital instructed SJ Berwin.

Duke Street bought Burton’s off HM Capital for a sum understood to top £200m. HM Capital had bought Burton’s from Associated Foods in 2000 for £130m, with Weil Gotshal & Manges then advising HM Capital and Herbert Smith advising Associated Foods.

Weil Gotshal scored instructions again from HM Capital on its disposal of Burton’s, with London managing partner Mike Francies leading with European head of consumer finance Andrew McClean. Francies also led advice on another biscuit auction when he advised Premier Foods on its unsuccessful bid for Allen & Overy client United Biscuits in 2006.

Duke Street turned to SJ Berwin, a favoured adviser of late, for the Burton’s Foods deal. SJ Berwin had previously advised Duke Street on its acquisitions in 2006 of Buckingham Foods, Thomas Food Group and Food Partners. Corporate partner Tim Wright led the team on all the deals, with associate Ed Harris and finance partner Jeremy Cross.

Burton’s also turned to its longstanding adviser, DWF. The firm’s team was led by corporate partners Paula Park and Sue Parker and finance partner Mike Hudson.