hancock: regular abf leadHerbert Smith has acted for long-term client Associated British Foods (ABF) in a complex international deal that handed advisory roles to firms in nearly 40 countries – including Herbert Smith’s key Euro allies Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe.

ABF – the food and retail business that has annual revenues of around £5bn – will acquire a division of Australian foodstuffs manufacturer Burns Philp & Co in a deal worth $1.35bn (£743m).