Wragge & Co has been appointed to advise Birmingham City Council (BCC) on the sale of the NEC Group, owner of venues including the NEC, ICC and NIA. Sale preparations are currently being finalised and interested parties invited to participate in a pre-qualification process.

NEC Group is worth more than £2 billion per annum to Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region, and supports around 29,000 jobs. The sale will come at a crucial time for the NEC Group, with major redevelopment of the NEC site currently underway and infrastructure projects such as HS2 in the pipeline.

BCC instructed Wragge & Co following a competitive tender process. A team led by corporate partner David Vaughan will advise on all aspects of the sale. Robert Caddick, Wragge & Co's commercial development and investment chairman, is leading on the property aspects of the deal.

David Vaughan, said: "It is a privilege to be trusted with such a significant transaction, which will enable the NEC Group to take full advantage of its growth opportunities and reach the next stage of its development. With our experience in corporate transactions and market-leading real estate offering, we are very well placed to advise on this project."

Wragge & Co's 11-partner corporate practice specialises in public takeovers, M&A, private equity, IPOs, joint ventures, share schemes, complex corporate structuring, funds and tax. Its clients range from owner-managed private companies to FTSE-listed major corporates.

Highlights include the £172 million recommended takeover of Delcam PLC by scheme of arrangement by Autodesk and the £183 million sale of Rosemont Pharmaceuticals by CBPE Capital LLP to Perrigo.