DEALS OF THE WEEK 15.03.2001

Grooviest deal: Clifford Chance acted for leading independent music publishing group Chrysalis Group in its recent 60 million securitisation of its global music publishing catalogue...Grooviest deal: Clifford Chance acted for leading independent music publishing group Chrysalis Group in its recent 60 million securitisation of its global music publishing catalogue.

Arrange-ments for the securitisation were made through Green-wich NatWest (the Royal Bank of Scotland), which was advised by US firm Weil Gotshal & Manges, with assistance from Harbottle & Lewis.Tastiest deal: Allen & Overy advised Dutch food products group CSM NV on the sale of its food division to HJ Heinz company.

The deal, worth Euro 425 million (270 million), was conditional on receiving clearance from the European Commission and relevant trade unions.

Clifford Chance advised HJ Heinz.

Most upmarket deal: SJ Berwin acted for Hilton Group in connection with the sale and leaseback of 11 Hilton hotels to the Royal Bank of Scotland for consideration worth 321 million.

The 11 hotels included those at Hyde Park in London, Glasgow, and the Brighton Metropole.

Berwin Leighton acted for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Best recruited deal: Herbert Smith acted for Spherion in its initial public offering in London of its subsidiary, professional recruitment consultancy Michael Page International.

Allen & Overy advised investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston on its role as sponsor of the flotation, estimated to be worth 825 million.

Best publicised deal: CMS Cameron McKenna represented marketing services company Incepta Group on its acquisition of consumer public relations company Red Consultancy.

The purchase was made for an initial sum of 12 million, but it could rise to 25 million, depending on Reds financial performance.

Red was advised by London firm Speechly Bircham.Best travelled deal: City firm Ashurst Morris Crisp advised Barclays Private Equity on the sale of its 65% shareholding in Luton Airport.

The shares were purchased for 82 million by TBI, which was advised by City firm Norton Rose.Most powerful deal: Intern-ational Power was advised by Clifford Chance on its Al Kamil IPP project in Oman.

The project, which has now completed for an undisclosed amount, entailed the construction and operation of a 275 MW gas fired power plant.