Sponsor

Allen & Overy

Infrastructure and Transport

A 'fit for purpose' infrastructure and transport industry can have a direct and positive impact on economic and social prosperity.

Over the next 20 years there is a pressing need for infrastructure to be replaced, upgraded or built in both developed and emerging markets as the rapid pace of globalisation continues. Some estimates put the total investment needed in existing and new infrastructure at tens of trillions of U.S. dollars.

Allen & Overy provides clients in the infrastructure and transport sector with both industry insight and imaginative legal advice that will help meet these challenges. The group comprises over 220 sector specialists on six continents working in partnership with clients to help them achieve their goals.

We view infrastructure and transport assets in the same way as our clients. Our approach combines disciplines and provides legal solutions for all advice needed on any infrastructure investment or activity across a variety of sub-sectors. We cover the full asset life cycle from creation to acquisition, the raising of sponsor or debt capital to restructuring and portfolio management and asset sales. Specifically, we work on major infrastructure project financings, mergers and acquisitions (both public and private) relating to brownfield infrastructure assets, securitisations, asset financings, refinancings, regulatory matters, infrastructure fund formation, arbitration and litigation and construction projects.

Our perceptive advice and work on critical transactions means we are recognised as the leading global provider of legal services to the infrastructure and transport sector. In recent years we have been named 'Global Infrastructure Firm of the Year' by Infrastructure Investor and 'Global Legal Adviser of the Year' by Infrastructure Journal.

ARA Asset Management Limited

ARA Asset Management Limited is a premier global integrated real assets fund manager. As at 31 December 2018, Gross Assets Managed by ARA Group and its Associates is more than S$80 billion(1) across over 100 cities in 23 countries.

Driven by a vision to be the best-in-class real assets fund management company focused on the management of real estate investment trusts (“REITS”), private real assets funds and real estate management services, ARA’s diverse suite of REITs and private real estate funds are invested in the office, retail, logistics/ industrial, hospitality and residential sectors. Its multi-platform, multi-product global fund management strategy, combined with its dedicated teams with in-depth local knowledge enables the Group to offer enduring value to its investors. Built on a foundation of strong corporate governance and business integrity, ARA counts some of the world’s largest pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, endowments and family offices as its investors.

(1) Includes assets under management by ARA Asset Management Limited and the Group of companies (“ARA Group”) and its Associates

GHD Advisory

GHD Advisory is an integrated part of GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies. GHD Advisory addresses the need for business outcomes that challenge the status quo in our rapidly changing environment, assisting clients to boost outcomes in the Capital (plan), Create (design and construct) and Optimisation (operate, maintain and dispose) phases of their projects.

Our offering is based on an integrated package of services across the lifecycle; from when infrastructure or assets are planned, designed and constructed, through its operations and maintenance, and eventually to decommissioning, closure or re-purposing.

With more than 90 years in operation, across five continents, in 200+ offices, we have a track record of delivering insightful advice and responsive technical services for our clients across the entire asset value chain.

King & Spalding

King & Spalding helps leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries. Working across a highly integrated platform of more than 1,500 lawyers in 22 offices globally, we deliver tailored commercial solutions through world-class offerings and an uncompromising approach to quality and service.

First-class M&A and Finance teams with excellent legal and commercial insight. Lee Taylor headed up the tier-1 ranked M&A and Private Equity practice in Southeast Asia at Clifford Chance until recently, having spent 20 years at the firm, of which 15 have been spent in Southeast Asia. He has a strong reputation in the market for M&A (particularly involving private equity sponsors) and regularly advises global and regional private equity houses on their most complex transactions in the region. Andrew Brereton led the tier-1 ranked Banking & Finance practice at Clifford Chance in Singapore until recently, having also spent over 20 years at the firm. He specialises in banking work, including acquisition finance, structured lending, fund financing, trade finance, project finance and reserve-based lending. Both Lee and Andrew have outstanding reputations in the market for their respective areas of expertise, as reflected by top-tier individual rankings in the leading legal directories.

Full cycle private equity coverage. We are one of the few law firms in Asia with first-class capability to advise on the full cycle of Private Equity, including fund formation, downstream private equity investments, acquisition finance and exits (IPOs, auction sales and trade sales). We also advise a broad range of private equity investors including buyout funds, growth capital funds, sovereign wealth funds and private equity arms of investments banks. We can be a “one-stop” shop for all your Private Equity needs.

Expertise in Private Equity. We have a strong track record of private equity transactions across Asia. Our in-depth knowledge of the sector means we can help you anticipate issues and develop commercial solutions before they arise, enhancing deal certainty and speed of execution. Our extensive track record, solutions-oriented approach and reputation for executing complex transactions with adaptable teams are features that make us one of the leading international law firms for Private Equity in Asia and globally.