The insurance giant’s takeover ranks as the largest deal between two UK companies in the last five years.

Allen & Overy corporate partners David Broadley and Philip Jarvis are advising insurance giant Aviva on its GBP5.6 billion acquisition of life insurance specialist Friends Life Group Limited.

Aviva’s takeover ranks as the largest deal between two UK companies since the financial crisis, excluding the government’s bailout of Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB Group’s acquisition of HBOS in 2008. It is the largest deal in the insurance sector since 2000.

The deal involved a cross-practice A&O team in London, including partners specialising in Corporate M&A, Antitrust, Employment, Pensions, Incentives, Outsourcing, ICM and Tax.

Partners David Broadley and Philip Jarvis were supported by senior associates Ben Ward and Kate McInerney, and associates Claire Coppel and Harry Hall.

Allen & Overy was appointed to Aviva’s plc panel in 2013.