The ‘very dedicated and hardworking’ team at Ashurst LLP regularly assists commercial banks, project sponsors, infrastructure funds, and governments with the financing of energy, natural resources and infrastructure projects. The group advises clients on a range of domestic, and international projects based in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The practice is co-led by financing specialists Mark Barges and Tom Longmuir. Longmuir is known for his focus on transactions in frontier markets, while Barges has deep knowledge of both conventional and renewable energy projects. The ’attentive and very dedicated‘ Samia Khennous and Cédric Gamambaye Dionmou, are key names of note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is proactive in providing advice and has solid experience in guarantees, development finance institutions, insurance and reinsurance. great availability and good follow-up.’

  • ‘Tom Longmuir was very present and gave good advice throughout the transaction and particularly during the negotiation of the agreements. Samia Khennous took care of the daily work and was very attentive and very dedicated to our needs. ’

  • ‘Ashurst's team is very dedicated and hardworking, with a profound understanding of the transaction at hand.’

  • ‘We are very pleased with recent experience on multiple transactions involving Tom Longmuir and Cedric Gamambaye Dionmou. The quality of work, level of engagement and response times at every level are very satisfying.’

  • ‘Very experienced and available team, very constructive in negotiations. The constant support provided by Ashurst as well as the ability to call upon the network for advice in Chinese law and other jurisdictions were very valuable in enabling us to successfully complete this transaction.’

  • ‘Cédric Gamambaye Dionmou was a great asset in this transaction. Very competent and available, leading the team and managing negotiations masterfully. He knows his field very well and never hesitates to defend our positions.’

  • ‘The experience, competence and agility in negotiation of Mark Barges were particularly appreciated. He has an approach that is both very protective of the interests of his clients while being constructive and equitable, finding appropriate solutions to blocking situations, without ever upsetting the opposing party.’

Key clients

  • J.P. Morgan
  • UK Export Finance
  • Citi
  • Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank
  • BNP Paribas
  • Natixis
  • Deutsche Bank
  • African Development Bank
  • MUFG Bank, Ltd.
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft
  • Banco Santander
  • ING Bank
  • Banque Centrale Populaire (Morocco)
  • La Banque Postale
  • Bpifrance
  • Attijariwafa Bank
  • Octopus Investments
  • Kasada Capital Management
  • Engie
  • Skyborn Renewables (formerly known as wpd Offshore)
  • Managem
  • Société Générale
  • ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms
  • EIB
  • Chariot Oil & Gas
  • NSIA Banque Bénin
  • Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce
  • Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement
  • Vinci
  • BGFI Bank Bénin
  • GuarantCo

Work highlights

  • Acted for Citi and UK Export Finance on a UKEF-guaranteed reconstruction facility to Ukraine to finance the reconstruction of six bridges around Kyiv which were damaged or destroyed by the Russian military.
  • Acted for BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank on combined €2.3bn Hermes and SACE-backed facilities for the development of Project Green Line, Egypt's first high-speed rail network.
  • Advised lenders Bpifrance, LPB and LBP AM on the non-recourse financing to Helexia through its subsidiary Concordia SA for a portfolio of 583 solar PV and energy efficiency projects located in eight European countries.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mark Barges, Tom Longmuir

Other key lawyers

Samia Khennous, Cédric Gamambaye Dionmou