Doughty Hanson has given private equity partner Allan Murray-Jones’ decision to quit Lovells for Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom its seal of approval by instructing the US firm on a major buy-out.

Murray-Jones, who joined Skaddens in September last year, advised Doughty Hanson on the £288m buy-out of the Priory Healthcare group. It is the first acquisition the firm has done for Doughty Hanson.