Ashurst Morris Crisp has advised Express Dairies on its £150m merger with Arla Foods, the UK producer of fresh milk and subsidiary of Danish dairy co-operative Arla, which was advised by Allen & Overy (A&O).

Express acquired the entire share capital of Arla Foods in exchange for 51% of the issued share capital of Express. Express will merge with the UK subsidiary of Arla, Europe’s largest dairy company behind many leading brands – including Lurpak and Anchor.