Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Travers Smith and DLA Piper have lined up on the sale of Pets at Home for almost £1bn, in the latest deal signalling a resurgence in the private equity sector.

Simpson Thacher took the lead role for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR), which won the high-profile auction to purchase the pet supplies chain from Bridgepoint Capital with a bid of £955m.