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Trade finance

Mark Norris

Mark Norris

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Sullivan & Worcester LLP

Sullivan & Worcester LLP is ‘best in class – the partners are opinion leaders in the trade finance industry’. Known for having the largest group of specialist trade finance partners, and handling all kinds of transactions from the traditional to the highly structured, the London team works closely with the firm’s US-based trade and export finance practitioners. The deep bench of trade finance specialists and thought leaders includes Geoffrey Wynne, who co-chaired the ICC Drafting Committee writing the Uniform Rules for Digital Trade Transactions; Simon Cook, who frequently handles transactions across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the CIS; Mark Norris, who has ‘a strong focus on finding commercial solutions and significant experience in Africa’. Head of the UK insurance and disputes practices Marian Boyle is ‘hugely experienced and tough when necessary’. Daniela Barrdear, who joined from Hogan Lovells International LLP in late 2023, has a strong track record in advising both banks and non-bank financial institutions, as well as development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, and borrowers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
+44 (0)20 7448 1003
Email
[email protected]
Profile
sullivanlaw.com
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Profile

Work Department

Trade & Export Finance Group

Position

Mark's practice covers cross border inward investment, syndicated lending, structured export credit finance, structured trade and commodity finance, debt restructurings and asset finance. He has been recognised in The Legal 500 UK as "excelling" in structured export credit transactions and is praised for his "commercial and user-friendly approach."

Mark advises on ESG financings including hospitals, clean energy and transportation, and advises on financial crime, modern slavery, bribery and corruption issues in connection with trade and export finance. He led Sullivan’s response to the UK Government's consultation on UK Export Finance (UKEF)'s anti-bribery and corruption policy, with many of his recommendations accepted by the UK Government.

He has advised financial institutions, funds, corporate borrowers, agents and trustees, and national and supranational sovereign/quasi-sovereign organisations on award-winning finance transactions throughout Africa, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS and the Middle East.

Mark has extensive sector experience in infrastructure financing across Africa including off-grid power, healthcare and transportation, and has lived and practised law in the Czech Republic (Prague), England (London), Germany (Düsseldorf and Frankfurt) and Russia (Moscow).

Mark holds graduate and post-graduate degrees with honours from the London School of Economics.

Career

Joined Sullivan & Worcester in 2013

Memberships

  • Export Finance and Trade Committee, British Bankers Association
  • Trustee, National Youth Agency
  • Royal African Society
  • Royal Institute of International Affairs

Education

  • London School of Economics and Political Science, LLM, 2010
  • College of Law, Law Society Finals, 1989
  • College of Law, Common Professional Examination, 1988
  • London School of Economics and Political Science, BSc (Economics), 1987

Content supplied by Sullivan & Worcester LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Outstanding industry knowledge. Always focused on results. Lean, efficient teams delivering great value for money. ’

  • ‘Marian Boyle - hugely experienced, tough when necessary and a delight to work with. ’

  • 'The standout legal experts in the field of trade and supply chain finance. The team has strength in depth and across a number of sector specialisms, and I have no hesitation in recommending them to business partners. They approach they work with a can-do, client-focused attitude and are generally responsive.'

  • 'Simon Cook and Luna Owen drafted the terms of use for our digital trade assets platform, one of the first in its field. The result was very pleasing as they have a solutions oriented approach and are able to draw on extensive sector knowledge and experience when advising their clients.'

  • 'The team is extremely supportive and is always prepared to go the extra mile. They have established, under the leadership of Geoff Wynne, a solid reputation in trade and are a go-to firm for us on numerous trade matters.'

  • 'Geoff Wynne always stands out. He is extremely creative in forming structural solutions and his knowledge of the law in the context of trade is exceptional.'

  • ‘Geoff Wynne and Simon Cook. Very knowledgeable and engaged. They are part of the active trade finance market and have been for years.’

  • ‘Mark Norris has a strong focus on finding commercial solutions, and has significant experience in Africa.’

Key clients

  • Lloyds Bank
  • Citibank
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Crown Agents Bank
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Santander
  • Rabobank
  • International Trade and Forfaiting Association (ITFA)
  • Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT)
  • Africa Global Trade Finance
  • Standard Bank
  • UK Export Finance (UKEF)
  • Nedbank CIB
  • Contracta UK
  • Iroko Securities Limited
  • Muse Finance
  • Arqit Limited
  • Lake Resources
  • Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd, London Branch (UMTB)
  • T3i Partner Network LLP
  • Trade Finance Global (TFG)
  • Mercore
  • Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Soc Ltd (ECIC)
  • NMS Infrastructure
  • Absa Group
  • Natixis
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB)
  • Lendable Asset Management LLC

Work highlights

Advising Arqit, a leader in quantum-safe encryption, in relation to its documentary framework to support the creation, issue and storage of electronic promissory notes, leveraging the capabilities enabled by this year’s implementation of the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 (the ETDA).
Advised Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd, London Branch (UMTB) in relation to its role in the funding of Essar Oil UK’s (EOUK) $150 million receivables portfolio.
Supported Mercore, the global trade focused fintech group, in relation to the structure behind the UK’s first Digital Bill of Exchange transaction. The trade finance transaction utilised an electronic payment undertaking (ePU) structure in digital bill of exchange format, with Mercore working with Abercore, a UK-based sugar trader and advisory firm.