Rising Stars

Energy, project finance and PFI in West Midlands

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP offers ‘a highly pragmatic, commercial approach’ and a full-service practice in the energy and infrastructure sector, working for a broad array of stakeholders in numerous sub-sectors, notably including the alternative energy space. Certain key areas for the firm include power generation, renewables, and nuclear, to name a few. The ‘exceptional’ Paul Hill helms the practice, with vast experience of numerous areas including project finance, and greenfield and brownfield projects. Zoe Stollard joined the firm from Clarke Willmott LLP in March 2022, bringing with her significant expertise in the field of nuclear and renewable energy, and with a broader focus on non-contentious work. Nick Smee further strengthens the team, with particular experience of the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing arenas.

Practice head(s):

Paul Hill


Other key lawyers:

Zoe Stollard; Nick Smee


Testimonials

‘Browne Jacobson is a strong practice with a highly pragmatic, commercial approach.’

‘Technically strong.’

‘Paul Hill is an exceptional banking lawyer who will work around the clock to deliver for his clients and does so with a high degree of professionalism.’

‘They provided innovative fixed-price billing based on discounted rates, which was helpful for a start-up company.’

‘I find them a diverse team with many interesting skill sets and sector interests, from IP through to nuclear energy and renewables.’

‘Paul Hill has been a hands-on and proactive client partner.’

‘Nick Smee was a knowledgeable IP partner overseeing the project.’

Key clients

Covanta


Suez SA


R Capital Partners


Welsh European Funding Office


Igneo Infrastructure Partners


Clean Power Hydrogen


Aceleron Energy


H2Go


PBE Group


hyperTunnel


British Gas


Acceleron


Onto Holdings


Ingersol Rand


Ferguson Advanced Composite


Work highlights


  • Advised Suez and its shareholders GIP, Meridiam and CDG, on the agreement to acquire its former UK management business – Suez R&R UK – from French-headquartered business Veolia for an enterprise value of £2bn.
  • Advised the Welsh European Funding Office on a tidal energy infrastructure project off the coast of Wales. This is designed to power more than 180,000 homes once fully operational and will be an infrastructure hub.
  • Advised Rcapital Partners on the distressed acquisition of (and provision of finance to) Avonside Energy, a Leicestershire-headquartered Solar PV service provider. The deal will result in the continued operation of a national renewable energy-linked company, facilitating the UK’s strategy to decarbonise by 2050.

Gowling 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.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Kenny; Andrew Newberry


Other key lawyers:

Gus Wood; Paul Green; Elizabeth Williams; James Stanier; Dominic Richardson; Imran Mufti


Testimonials

‘Calmness, ability to manage billing and legal costs prudently and carefully, supportive of the client’s needs.’

‘Stephen Kenny is very easy to work with, totally unflappable and a safe and steady pair of hands. Always amenable and calm and collected.’

‘Dominic Richardson and the team are really knowledgeable about PFI agreements.’

‘They have worked really well with our internal legal and project teams.’

‘We feel totally confident that we can rely on their legal and strategic advice.’

‘Dominic Richardson has led the team and been very approachable and accessible.’

Key clients

Ministry of Defence


National Highways


AIB Group PLC


Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy


Greenage Power Limited


Brockwell Energy Limited


Eelpower


Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group (including Magnox, Nuclear Waste Services, Nuclear Transport Solutions…)


UK Health Security Agency


Department of Health and Social Care


Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office


Exagen Group Limited


HydrogenOne Capital Growth plc


InfraCo Africa


Island Green Power


Magnum Utilities Ltd


Pacific Green Energy Storage


Alfanar Company


UK Power Networks Services Limited


The Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games


Work highlights


  • Advised National Highways on one of its flagship projects, the procurement of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road/tunnel project. The project will involve a 1.8 mile (2.7 km) tunnel under the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
  • Advised the shareholders of FI1 Limited on the sale of their stake in the project companies that will construct and operate the first ever UK-Germany Transmission Link – the NeuConnect Interconnector Project (NeuConnect) – to TEPCO Power Grid (TEPCO PG).
  • Advised the Ministry of Defence on its 11-year £695m investment to provide in-service support to the RAF’s fleet of Hawk T2 training aircraft and the Hawk T1 jets flown by the Red Arrows.

Freeths LLP

The ‘top-quality’ team at Freeths LLP advises on infrastructure funds, secondary market transactions and asset management, particularly in relation to Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and PPP transactions. The firm also has a dedicated waste and sustainability practice, often handling matters involving clean and smart energy technologies. Kirstin Roberts leads the waste and sustainability team, with notable experience of a range of areas that includes waste re-use, reduction and recycling. The ‘exceptional’ practice head James Larmour is experienced in infrastructure and project finance transactions, notably including PFI secondary market transactions, while ‘dedicated’ associate Reece Ballett strengthens the firm’s waste and sustainability practice, handling significant matters in this area.

Practice head(s):

James Larmour; Kirstin Roberts


Other key lawyers:

Reece Ballett


Testimonials

‘The advice provided was quick, creative and practical. This was needed in respect of a project with a very demanding timeframe and changing legislative requirements.’

‘Reece Ballett was extremely dedicated and committed to achieving our aims. Kirstin Roberts also provides sound advice to make sure that the project remained on track.’

‘What really sets Freeths apart from their competitors is their communication, which in my experience is the best in the industry. I have yet to work with another law firm whose partners make themselves so readily available and so easily contactable. I would not hesitate to use Freeths again.’

‘They deliver top-quality work, are capable of working to strict deadlines, and are good at managing difficult problems and people on the other side of the table. Partner James Larmour in particular stands out. James is extremely personable and a strong communicator.’

‘Freeths Projects and Infrastructure team offers a partner led and delivered service. Clients will secure the full benefit of the team’s experience, which is not always be the case with larger practices. The team is focused on delivery and achieving results for clients, with the minimum of “drama”.’

‘James Larmour is exceptional and fully deserves his recognition as a leading individual in PFI/PPP matters. His clients can have absolute confidence that he will get the job done for them and will have a proactive and sensible solution where any transactional challenges arise.’

‘James Larmour operates in a collaborative, constructive and friendly manner. I have rarely met another lawyer who is easier to get on with and more focused on client delivery.’

‘At the forefront of developments and good market knowledge.’

Key clients

Aldi Stores Limited


Amber Infrastructure


Biodiversify Ltd


Bio Dynamic Limited


Calisen


Centrica plc


CL:AIRE


Dalmore Capital


Daedalus Development Company Limited


Derbyshire Dales District Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Equans


Equitix


Enovert Limited


FCC Environment


Greenshanks Limited


Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Limited


International Public Partnerships


Johnson Aggregates Limited


LNT Carehomes Limited


Nova Pangea Limited


Oasthouse Ventures


P&H


Plymouth Energy Community and Plymouth Council


Rochford District Council


SmartParc


Staffordshire County Council


Tarmac


Whites Generation Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Equitix on the refinancing of the Knowsley and Southampton Street Lighting PFI projects with a combined value in excess of £55m financed by Aviva.
  • Acting in the new practice area of Natural Capital, advising property developers acquiring Bio Diversity Net Gain credits and Nutrient Credits and advising the creators of such credits and brokers of such credits. E.g. Greenshanks, Biodiversify and LNT.
  • Acting for Aldi Stores Limited in connection with its joining a number of reuse and recycling schemes, including that of Podback.

Pinsent Masons LLP

A team commended for its ‘clarity of advice’, Pinsent Masons LLP addresses issues related to public sector investment, operating in decarbonisation and clean energy projects; for example, the firm is involved in the UK’s offshore windfarm projects. Nigel Blundell jointly leads the practice with Kultar Khangura, the former working on a variety of transactions related to building and infrastructure schemes and investment funds, as well as routinely handling transport matters. The ‘excellent’ Chris Haines handles decentralised energy and district heating matters, whilst Gemma Glasspole adds further value to the team with expertise in advising public authorities on the development and implementation of PPP projects.

Practice head(s):

Nigel Blundell; Kultar Khangura


Other key lawyers:

Gemma Glasspole; Chris Haines


Testimonials

‘The team have approached matters in a reasoned and practical manner, providing clarity of advice, and have been supportive to the council in the delivery of this project.’

‘Chris Haines has been an excellent person to work with throughout the development of this project.’

‘Chris offers a clear legal perspective and is very personable in his approach. He is a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Verkor SA


Volker Rail


Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council


Cardiff Capital Region


FCC Environment


Viridor Limited


Ørsted


Hitachi Zosen Inova A E


Amber Infrastructure


Cory Riverside Limited


Enfinium Limited


Westminster City Council


Morgan Sindall


Work highlights


  • Advising Verkor, a manufacturer of EV batteries in France and southern Europe, on its strategy to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and stationary storage in Europe, its project finance arrangements to support the establishment of a test facility in Grenoble and raising funds for the development of a Dunkirk GigaFactory.
  • Advising Cardiff Capital Region on the purchase of a 489-acre decommissioned coal-fired power station at Aberthaw from site owners, RWE, located on the coast near Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. The overall proposition is to remediate, redevelop and reposition the site as an exemplar £1bn+ green energy production park in the region.
  • Advising the Durham County Council on the Seaham Garden Village Low-Carbon Minewater Heat Network which aims to deliver a low-carbon district heating network to serve the Seaham Garden Village Development in Durham.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP regularly handles matters for large energy and water companies, as well as advising on sub-sea interconnectors and distribution networks, amongst others. The practice, which provides ‘robust advice’, is headed by Andrew Whitehead, who specialises in energy regulation and contracts, often working with utility and developer clients.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Whitehead


Testimonials

‘The team really get to know your business so provide a well-rounded view and advice as to what is important to your business, whilst still leaving total autonomy to us, the client.’

‘The advice and guidance we receive is always robust, yet on a level that appreciates our existing knowledge.’

Key clients

National Grid Electricity Transmission / National Grid Electricity System Operator


Grain LNG


Cadent Gas


Npower (part of E.ON)


Last Mile Infrastructure Group (formerly Energetics)


Statera Energy


National Gas Transmission


Innogy e-Mobility


Severn Trent Green Power


Shell Energy Retail


Highway Stops Retail


Sustainable Energy First


Business Power & Gas


BritNed Development


Marble Power


FPC Electric Land


Electricity North West Limited


National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution)


Octopus Energy


Certas Energy


Coventry and Solihull Waste


South Staffordshire Water


Anglian Water


SUNEL UK


Whitetower Energy


rePLANET


Ripple Energy


Birmingham University


FW Thorpe Plc


Macquarie Bank


Utilita Group


Bryt Energy


FPC Electric Land Ltd


Packaged Energy Solutions Limited


Power Data Associates


Work highlights


  • Advised the National Grid on the development of the new ‘demand flexibility service’ enabling households to be paid to reduce consumption in early evening periods, in parallel with advising on new contracts with coal power station operators to keep retiring coal units available to run if needed.
  • Advised the Battery Storage Scheme developer on one of the largest battery storage developments in the UK to date.
  • Advised one of the applicants on the High Court application and landmark joint administrators of Iresa judgement in 2022 which settled a key aspect of the process dealing with failed energy suppliers.

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s practice acts for both public and private sector clients, including project developers and sub-contractors, and work ranges from social infrastructure to waste. Kirtpal Kaur Aujla advises on PPP and PFI projects, with a focus on the education, leisure and health and social care sectors. Sarah Greenhalgh is experienced in corporate governance for registered providers of social housing and the team was bolstered in January 2022, with the arrival of associate Carrie Davies from Gowling WLG.

Practice head(s):

Nadeem Arshad (Bristol)


Other key lawyers:

Kirtpal Kaur Aujla; William Cursham; Sarah Greenhalgh; Carrie Davies


Key clients

Viridor


Equans


Welsh Government, Welsh Local Authorities and Welsh Further Education Institutions


Birmingham City Council


East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust


Legal and General


Bank of Ireland


JFS School


Sheffield City Council


Portsmouth Hospitals NHS University NHS Trust


A London Borough Council


West Berkshire Council


Work highlights


  • Advising Birmingham City Council on its £500 m new waste PPP project and delivery of its future waste management strategy.
  • Advising Nottingham City Council on its Street Lighting PFI – LED Conversion Project.
  • Acting for Boom Power Limited on the property aspects of its proposed 400-megawatt solar farm.