Dominic Richardson > Gowling WLG > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Gowling WLG
TWO SNOWHILL
BIRMINGHAM
B4 6WR
England
Dominic Richardson photo

Work Department

Projects; Energy; Food & Beverage; Life Sciences; Public Sector; Banking & Finance; Information Technology; Corporate, M&A & Capital Markets; Private Equity; Dispute Resolution; Mediation; Public Procurement; Real Estate; Asset Management; Residential Development; Show all

Position

Partner

Career

Dominic Richardson helps clients to win, close out and deliver complex and challenging infrastructure projects.

Dominic’s extensive experience of advising on all aspects of major highways, defence, healthcare, energy and social infrastructure projects means that he works to protect the interests of contractors, to help project sponsors and equity investors achieve the best possible position, to advise banks and other project funders on how best to protect their interests and to advise procuring authorities on how to achieve their outcomes.

Highlights

M8 Motorway PPP

The £500m project for the upgrade and operation (over a 33 year term) of the M8, M73 and M74 motorways was a real highlight. It closed in March 2014 and Dominic was the lead adviser to Amey LG on the negotiation of the Operation and Maintenance contract.

This included leading on extensive multi-party negotiations, taking place over a number of weeks and weekends to optimise Amey LG’s contractual position (in particular in relation to responsibility for defects in newly constructed motorway network). The deal built on Dominic’s long-standing relationship with Amey and he continues to advise on the operational aspects of the Birmingham and Sheffield Highways PPPs.

Gibraltar Diesel Power Station Project

Dominic was lead adviser to Bouygues Energies & Services S.A on a project for the construction of a diesel power generation plant together with associated fuel supply infrastructure and upgrades to the distribution network.

Bouygues were part of a consortium with, as part of a joint venture, IMM S.A and Volker Stevin BV.

It meant travelling around a fair bit – negotiation of the joint venture agreement took place over a prolonged period of meetings in Brussels. He then led negotiations with the Government of Gibraltar on the form of contract, involving extensive meetings in Gibraltar, and on commercial agreements with the key supplier (Caterpillar) over a series of meetings held in Paris.

Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, Vancouver, Canada.

Dominic was the sole adviser to the main operating contractor on the Surrey Hospital Outpatients Facility in Vancouver, a project that had to be concluded in an extremely tight timescale owing to a funding offer that expired in August 2008.

The challenging deadline necessitated the preparation and conclusion of all issues with funders, the procuring authority and project sponsors in an extremely tight period, including a concentrated period of meetings in Vancouver over a two-week period.

He also acted in the same role for the operating contractor for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police British Columbia Headquarters PPP. Dominic was involved from the pre-qualification stage through to the financial close, and on further bids for hospital and prison projects (including dialogue meetings with Canadian Procuring Authorities).

Clients

Amey, Amec, Atkins, Equitix, Ministry of Defence, Parkwood Plc, Cofely.

Experience

Adviser to Amey on a £235 million, 23 year outsourcing contract for the provision of Highways, Lighting and Environmental Services.

Advising British International Helicopters as part of a consortium with AAR Corporation on a contract for the establishment and operation of a new helicopter transport and search and rescue operation for the UK MOD.

Dominic acted as the lead adviser to Amey LG as the main operation & maintenance contractor for a £450 million bond financed project to upgrade the M8 / M73 and M74 motorways in Scotland

Dominic advised Cofely Workplace Limited, a division of GDF Suez, on the £45 million NHS Ayrshire & Arran NPD project, relating to the construction of and delivery of services to the new Acute Mental Health & North Ayrshire Community Hospital, procured as part of the Scottish Government’s NPD (Non-…

Languages

English

Lawyer Rankings

West Midlands > Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy, project finance and PFI

(Next Generation Partners)

Dominic RichardsonGowling WLG

A team that is ‘supportive of client needs’, Gowling WLG routinely handles the financing, refinancing, development and expansion of projects situated in the infrastructure and energy markets. Recent areas of work for the team include battery storage, pumped storage, solar and hydrogen-related matters. The ‘unflappable’ practice co-head Stephen Kenny has notable expertise regarding UK government projects, often handling infrastructure and asset matters; Andrew Newberry jointly leads the team and is particularly experienced in energy and utility projects. Gus Wood bolsters the practice with his specialism in UK energy advice, while Elizabeth Williams focuses on defence and security work. Dominic Richardson leads on large-scale Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transactions in the infrastructure sector, whilst James Stanier is well-versed in energy sector legislation, industry codes and incentive scheme matters. Imran Mufti joined from Hogan Lovells International LLP in July 2022.

West Midlands > Transport

(Next Generation Partners)

Dominic RichardsonGowling WLG

Possessing broad expertise in the transport sector, Gowling WLG‘s practice is particularly strong in the rail space, as well as on interface agreements, logistics and roads matters, to name a few. Joint practice head Giles Clifford specialises in infrastructure, while co-lead Dominic Richardson has notable expertise of rail and rail-related development schemes. Richard Green has particular experience of new station developments, alongside advising on construction and engineering contracts; Toni Weston’s strengths lie in compulsory purchase law issues, alongside more niche expertise regarding road, tunnel, bridge and flyover structures; Sarah Riding advises on supply chain and logistics arrangements, as well as more general commercial issues.

London > Transport > Rail

Giles Clifford heads the practice at Gowling WLG, which has a strong specialism in rail station development and station upgrades. Other areas of focus include advising on overstation and over track development. The excellent team also has considerable experience of acting for developers and operators of logistics facilities. In addition, it advises a number of rail clients on general and rail-specific aspects of employment, TUPE and pensions issues. Richard Green and Dominic Richardson are also recommended.

London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing

The team at Gowling WLG are able to demonstrate roles on big-ticket deals within the infrastructure space as well as advising on mandates including private equity investments in hydrogen companies and developments. Gareth Baker leverages his experience as one of the founding members of Gowling’s hydrogen group to advise on this work, as well as showing expertise across the board of renewables and sustainable infrastructure work. Dominic Richardson is also recommended for his transactional expertise.

London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: Project finance and development

Gowling WLG is a leading player on infrastructure mandates, advising across the entire lifecycle of  projects, from financing, to project development, procurement, as well as guiding clients through ESG and net zero goals. The team regularly advises on politically sensitive projects and works on matters at the cutting edge of the UK defence and security space. Stephen Kenny and Andrew Newbery co-head the practice, with the former recognised for his work on PPP/PFI matters and serving as a key contact for the Ministry of Defence. Newbery’s financing expertise sees him regularly advise on large utility and energy projects. Dominic Richardson‘s experience includes transport and rail developments, while Elizabeth Williams regularly works alongside Kenny on Ministry of Defence projects. Alexandra Poynter is noted for her supporting role on a wide spectrum of practice mandates. Imran Mufti  joined the group from Hogan Lovells International LLP in July 2022, bringing expertise in capital market transactions, project finance, and knowledge of the Middle Eastern market.