DEALS OF THE WEEK

25.10.2001

Most regenerated deal: Lovells is acting for Argent St George on its acquisition and regeneration of the 50 acre King's Cross development lands in London.

The project is expected to be worth more than 1 billion.

Argent St George, a joint venture, has entered into an acquisition and development agreement with London and Continental Railways (which is responsible for the high-speed Channel Tunnel link, sited next to the land), advised by Herbert Smith, and Exel (which owns much of the land around the Regent's Canal), advised by Kingsford Stacey Blackwell.

CMS Cameron McKenna is acting for the government.Most scarlet deal: Browne Jacobson in Nottingham acted for the management of leading table-mat and coaster manufacturer Pimpernel International on its 25 million purchase of the business.

Simmons & Simmons advised the vendors, while funders 3i and the Royal Bank of Scotland were advised in-house and by Eversheds respectively.Most boring deal: Hampshire firm Lamb Brooks acted for Foundation & Exploration Services on the acquisition of a controlling stake in Emlyn Davies Drilling, a Welsh site investigation drilling company, advised by local firm Gamlins.Sweetest deal: US/UK firm Reed Smith Warner Cranston acted for Tate & Lyle on its global alliance with McNeil Nutritionals, advised by Linklaters, over the production of a new sweetner called Sucralose, which is made from sugar.Most educational deal: Dechert acted for the management of the Early Learning Centre on its 30 million buy-out of the business from John Menzies, represented by Peachey & Co.

The funders, 3i and Barclays Bank, were advised by Osborne Clarke and DLA respectively.Best covered deal: Max Bitel Greene acted for Felix Financial in buying insurance company Massow Rainbow Group from receivers Begbies Traynor, advised by Matthew Arnold Baldwin.

The deal was done in less than two days.

Ivan Massow, who financed the deal to buy back the company he helped start and was also advised by Max Bitel Greene, has been retained by Felix as a marketing consultant.

The firm has been appointed the company's solicitors.