Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Macfarlanes have landed lead advisory roles as publishing group Pearson sells its 50% stake in the Economist Group for £469m.

Exor, an investment company owned by Italy's Agnelli family, has purchased £287m of shares taking the company's stake in the Economist Group to 43%, up from just 5%.

The remaining shares have been bought by the Economist Group itself for £287m.