International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised De Vere Group Limited on the sale of its Venues division to Starwood Capital for £232m.

With 30 venues and 3,000 bedrooms accommodating circa 700,000 conference meeting delegates per annum, the Venues division is a focussed B2B business and represents the UK’s leading provider of space for residential training, meeting and events.

This transaction is in line with De Vere Group’s strategy of enhancing value for the group. Following the disposal of Venues, De Vere Group comprises 25 Village Urban Resorts, plus two currently in the course of construction, and six De Vere Golf Resort hotels.

Corporate partner Patrick Ko led the Freshfields team supported by real estate partner Mark Wheelhouse, pensions partner Dawn Heath and tax partner Richard Ballard.