Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised key private equity client CVC Capital Partners on the biggest buyout of the year so far.

CVC has agreed a deal worth $2.23bn (£1.36bn) to purchase the Central and Eastern European operations of Anheuser-Busch InBev across nine countries, in one of the largest private equity deals ever carried out in the region. The acquisition will give CVC control of the Staropramen beer brand.