Emerging markets

Simmons & Simmons

At Simmons & Simmons, energy sector project finance is a core strength, but the firm also handles financing and M&A deals in the TMT, life sciences, and financial services sectors across many emerging markets. Iain Duncan, who is head of energy, natural resources and infrastructure, and John Sayers, whose work on bilateral, syndicated and structured lending includes commodities, trade and export finance, and renewable energy projects, oversee the firm’s emerging markets work. ‘His industry knowledge is unparalleled’, say clients of energy, infrastructure and finance partner Marc Fèvre. The firm continues to make strong hires with significant emerging markets experience, including senior projects and project finance lawyer Joanne Elson, who moved from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in January 2024, and is active in the renewable power, infrastructure, and oil and gas sectors. Elson joins Simon Kenolty, who acts for lenders, sponsors, financial investors, procuring authorities, and contractors on energy projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have had the pleasure of working with Marc Fèvre for several years. Marc's industry knowledge is unparalleled. He is skilled at simplifying extremely complex concepts and has a wide range of perspectives on any contract he works on.’

Key clients

Mantoverde SA
Stone City Energy
Petrofac Limited
Mantos Copper S.A
Mainstream Renewable Power
Orion Resource Partners
Terrafame
Umm Al Houl Power Q.P.S.C. (“UHP”)
Eternis Fine Chemicals Limited
Alro S.A.
Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD (“BEH”)
Avrasya Tüneli İşletme İnşaat ve Yatirim A.Ş. ("ATAŞ")
Commercial International Bank S.A.E. (“CIB”)
Anglo American and De Beers UK Limited
Mirova Sunfunder
Globeleq
Total Eren

Work highlights

Advised Mainstream Renewable Power on its exit (alongside Actis) from its Lekela Power platform in Africa, which is Africa’s largest pure-play renewable energy IPP. An agreement to sell the platform was completed with Infinity Group and Africa Finance Corporation in March 2023.
Representing Petrofac since 2018 in its successful resolution of the SFO investigation into allegations of bribery in respect of oil & gas contracts across the Middle East worth up to USD 8.4 billion.
Advised Stone City Energy on the negotiation of the power purchase agreement and investment agreement with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade.