Ashursts 020502Ashurst Morris Crisp Paris has teamed up with the London office of Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis to advise on the £740m acquisition of part of Vivendi’s publishing interests – one of the biggest leveraged buy out (LBO) deals this year.

London-based private equity house Cinven is leading the buyers, who will pay £740m for a 75% stake in the healthcare and business publications of Vivendi Universal Publishing (VUP).