Norton Rose, DLA Piper and Reed Smith have taken lead roles on the acquisition of G&J Greenall, the UK's oldest distiller and bottler of gin and vodka, from hotels business De Vere Group.

Norton Rose advised a private investor group on the acquisition of the business, which has seen the formation of a new company, G&J Greenall Group, led by the current chief executive Christian Rose.

Norton Rose fielded a multi-disciplinary team under London corporate partner Simon Cox. The team included banking partner Duncan Hubbard, intellectual property partner Mike Knapper, employment partner Paul Griffin, pensions partner Peter Ford, real estate partner Dan Wagerfield and tax partner Dominic Stuttaford.

DLA Piper advised De Vere as the sellers, fielding a team led by London head of private equity restructuring Jonathan Richard.

Burdale Financial Limited, a member of Bank of Ireland Group, provided an £11m asset-based lending facility for the acquisition of the business, instructing a London-based team of lawyers at Reed Smith led by restructuring partner Georgia Quenby.

The facility is to support the acquisition and to provide ongoing working capital funding for the future growth and development of the company.

G&J Greenall is one of the largest producers, distillers and bottlers of gin and vodka in the UK. Alongside the production of its own brands, which include Greenalls and Berkeley Square, the company is a contract manufacturer of a number of international brands as well as a supplier to the UK supermarkets with own-label spirits.