Andrew Newbery > Gowling WLG > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Gowling WLG advises on water infrastructure projects in the UK and abroad, acting for water companies, local governments and water regulators, handling financing, development and transactional matters. The practice also provides litigation support, representing clients engaged in international litigation. Leading the water practice is Andrew Newbery, who specialises in transactional matters in the water sector, including project financing, while John Cooper heads the firm’s public law team, advising on regulatory issues affecting water projects. Gareth Baker assists investors seeking to acquire infrastructure assets and Jonathan Brufal, who splits time between the firm’s Dubai and London offices, heads the firm’s international projects practice, with particular experience advising on developments in Africa and the Middle East.

Gowling WLG has a thriving projects and infrastructure practice in London that is ‘technically sound, pragmatic and risk aware not risk averse, professional and culturally sensitive‘. Head of international projects Jonathan Brufal is ‘not only willing, but keen, to get into the detail on projects‘. He worked with project finance specialists Andrew Newbery and Imran Mufti to support Saudi construction company Alfanar Company in the development of five Construction Villages procured by the NEOM Company, each with accommodation for up to 10,000 individuals who will ultimately oversee and deliver a new urban area in Tabuk Province. Corporate energy partner Gareth Baker  ‘provides pragmatic and sound legal advice, taking time to understand the commercials‘, and impact finance partner Alasdair McKenzie ‘has a clear interest and passion for emerging markets work and his advice is sound and pragmatic‘. Together they advised InfraCo Africa on a $15m loan to to UK-registered next generation utility company Bboxx for its Africa-focused off-grid solar business. Head of natural resources Charles Bond and standout partner for international arbitration Gordon Bell are also active in emerging markets.

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.