Linklaters is advising the sellers, Chinese food giant Bright Food and an investment fund owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, on the sale. It had previously advised Bright Food on its 2012 acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in Weetabix from Lion Capital for £1.2 billion.

Other advisers

Ropes & Gray is also acting for Bright Food and Baring Private Equity Asia, a significant minority shareholder. Baker McKenzie is acting for Post Holdings, US firm Lewis Rice is advising Post Holdings on US aspects of the deal and Mills & Reeve is advising the management of Weetabix on the deal.

Global player

Weetabix, based in Northamptonshire is one one of the largest producers of breakfast cereals in the UK, and boasts brands such as Alpen and Ready Brek and exports across the world to more than 80 countries.