HFW

Combining ‘deep knowledge of the industry’ with expertise across an array of finance and leasing structures, HFW remains a popular choice among lenders, lessors and operators across a wide range of new money and refinancing transactions. Noted for his ’very service-minded approach’, Swedish and UK-qualified partner Gudmund Bernitz has a broad practice that encompasses commercial loan and ECA-backed financings – including to facilitate the delivery of zero-emission vessels – as well as corporate and commercial work in the space, including as it relates to the establishment of shipping-related funds and ship building contracts. Katherine Noble ‘manages the most complicated transactions with ease’ for a lender-focused client base, including in the context of sustainability-focused projects and financings. For finance work in the aviation sector, Rebecca Quayle is ’extremely capable and commercially minded’ and alongside David Brotherton, who now heads the sub-group in London following a long period in Singapore, has made increasing inroads into the firm’s APAC-focused lessor client base for UK-based work. Barbara Pansadoro also handles work for lessors as well as airlines and is noted for the versatility of her workload, which runs the gamut from insurance-supported deals and complex hybrid financings incorporating commercial debt and tax-based lease structures, through to aircraft and engine purchase contracts. Adam Shire heads up the ship finance team as well as handling a considerable volume of private aviation and corporate jet work.