Simon Priddis

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) is advising CVC Fund VII (‘CVC’), part of one of the world’s leading private equity and investment advisory firms, on its long-term strategic investment in Six Nations Rugby, the official organising body of the Six Nations Championship and Autumn Internationals. Over a period of five years, CVC will invest up to £365 million in exchange for a 1/7th share in Six Nations Rugby, working alongside the rugby unions of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales (the ‘Unions’), which will together retain a 6/7th share. CVC will bring to the partnership its significant experience in sports, as well as its global network, working alongside the Unions and the Six Nations management team. The partnership will help to deliver on Six Nations Rugby’s ambitious growth plans, developing these competitions for the benefit of existing fans, and to attract a new more diverse and global fan base, which will support the wider rugby community. The partnership builds on CVC’s recent investments in PRO14 and PRL and follows on from previous sporting investments in Formula One, Moto GP and, more recently, Volleyball World. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Charlie Hayes, David Brooks, Jill Gatehouse, Simon Priddis, Vincent Bergin, Rhodri Thomas, Chris Mort and Alex Mitchell, and counsel Marie-Claire Strawbridge. ENDS Notes to editors: About Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world's leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on groundbreaking and business-critical mandates. Our 2,800-plus lawyers deliver results worldwide through our own offices and alongside leading local firms. Our commitment, local and multinational expertise, and business know-how means our clients rely on us when it matters most.

Mar 12

1 min

Freshfields has advised funds managed by CVC Capital Partners on the sale, together with management, of Etraveli Group to Booking Holdings Inc for approximately €1.63 billion. Etraveli Group is already a partner of Booking.com – helping power its existing flight product - the acquisition of Etraveli Group will complement Booking Holdings’ ongoing work to build a frictionless global flights offering to deliver on its overall mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. Etraveli Group will remain headquartered in Sweden and operate as an independent business under Booking Holdings, led by their current management team. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Charles Hayes, Sundeep Kapila and Simon Priddis, alongside senior associates Andy Robinson, Jay Swain and Tom McGrath.

Nov 24

1 min

Freshfields has advised CVC Capital Partners VIII, part of one of the world’s leading private equity and investment advisory firms, on the acquisition of a majority interest in Medivet, a leading veterinary care provider in the UK, Germany and Spain. Details of the transaction can be found here. With over 350 branches in the UK, Medivet is a leading provider of veterinary care delivering a full spectrum of small animal health services including routine check-ups, 24/7 emergency care, lab & diagnostics and advanced surgery to companion pets across the country. From its UK foundations, the company has recently expanded with operations in Germany and Spain, with ~50 sites in Europe in partnership with local founders. The Freshfields team is being led by London private equity partner Vincent Bergin and leveraged finance partner Alex Mitchell, alongside London partners Charles Hayes, David Brooks, David Mendel, May Smith, Simon Priddis and Victoria Hills, senior associates Jay Swain and Peter Mason, and associates Sherina Teckchand, Ted Haxby and Julie Chan.

Sep 17

1 min

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has advised funds managed by CVC Capital Partners on the signing of an investment commitment agreement with the French professional football league (“LFP”) in connection with the creation of a new commercial subsidiary of the LFP intended to support the development of the French football ecosystem. In return for its total investment commitment of €1.5bn, CVC Capital Partners VIII will hold a 13 per cent stake in the commercial subsidiary, valuing the entire share capital of the commercial subsidiary at €11.5bn. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including competition approvals, and is expected to complete by the end of July 2022. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Charles Hayes and David Brooks, alongside associate Alex Collins.  Antitrust advice is being provided by partner Simon Priddis, alongside associates Luke Becker and Anup Nandra. ENDS

Apr 5

1 min

Ten law firm partners have been identified as the top U.K. M&A lawyers based in London for 2025, according to a dataset produced by MergerLinks. Samuel Newhouse of Latham & Watkins topped the rankings, and was found to have led on M&A transactions last year with a combined deal value of £54.05 billion. Newhouse was part of the Latham team which advised on the merger of mining giants Anglo American and Teck—creating a $53 billion combined group. Notably, every lawyer on the MergerLinks list of the top ten practitioners is male. The online platform’s final list is based on the total value of M&A transactions announced last year, and considers only those in which the respective lawyers led teams in which their firm was the primary legal adviser. The list also features top names from Freshfields, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Cravath Swaine & Moore, A&O Shearman and Slaughter and May. Freshfields partner Stephen Hewes was in second place on the list, having led on deals with a combined value of £21.9 billion, while Skadden partner Denis Klimentchenko was in third place with an equivalent figure of £15.8 billion. Freshfields' Hewes advised on CVC's acquisition of Smiths Detection from Smiths Group for £2 billion in December 2025, with Latham & Watkins also leading on the deal.

Mar 3

1 min