A multidisciplinary team from international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised Heineken International B.V. on its acquisition of the Galaxy pub estate (Galaxy) from The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (RBS) for £412m on a cash-and-debt-free basis.

Galaxy consists of 918 high-quality, largely freehold pubs and has been managed by Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, a Heineken subsidiary, since 1999 on behalf of RBS. Galaxy will be combined with Heineken UK’s existing portfolio of 462 outlets. Following this acquisition, Heineken will become one of the leading pub owners and operators in the UK.

The Freshfields team worked closely with Ernst van de Weert (Heineken Senior Legal Counsel) and was led by London corporate partner Sundeep Kapila with support from associates Chetan Sheth and Lucy Harford. Tax advice was provided by London partner Sarah Falk with support from senior associate Todd Kramers and associate Raymond Duddy.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Freshfields corporate partner Sundeep Kapila said: ‘We are delighted to have supported the Heineken team on this exciting transaction showing the continued growth in their UK business and their position as pub owners and operators.’