England - London • Projects, energy and natural resources

Mayer Brown International LLP

More informationMore information

Capitalising on a wealth of expertise from a huge international footprint that includes teams in the US, South America and Asia, Mayer Brown International LLP ‘s London infrastructure team is involved in big-ticket mandates including  sizeable renewable energy and key infrastructure builds. Its international mandates span established and emerging markets, including a considerable volume of engagement with the African continent. An offering in Singapore has opened doors to markets such as South Korea, where the London team has advised on mining projects, while in Africa the firm's mandates include roles advising government and public utility bodies in countries such as Mauritiana, Ghana and Uganda on mineral, ammonia and hydrogen ventures. Rachel Speight leads the group and works with an array of sponsors and financial institutions on complex project financings, while fellow co-head Ian Coles is renowned for his mining expertise and strong understanding of the African market. Third team head Kirsti Massie is the practice's go-to for renewables and energy transition matters, as well as traditional power developments. Other practitioners to highlight include Jonathan Stone who is able to advise on the whole project development and financing piece; Emma Sturt, who leverages an engineering background to provide clients with tailored advice; Danuta De Vries  for her export finance and asset-based lending practice; and Ronan Mellon, who joined from DLA Piper in August 2022, bringing expertise in project bonds and infrastructure financing via capital markets.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Africa Finance Corporation
  • African Export-Import Bank
  • Almonty Industries
  • British Land
  • Cummins
  • Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank
  • Klesch Group
  • Raffinerie Heide GmbH
  • Sunfire
  • The Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Work highlights

  • Advised the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and other lenders on a syndicated, secured $600 million facility for Trafigura, which related to underlying facilities between Trafigura and Chemaf Resources Ltd and Chemaf SA.
  • Advised the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the signing of the framework agreement with renewable energy developer CWP Global for the AMAN project. It is the largest integrated hydrogen project in Africa to date and world's largest renewable energy project.
  • Advising British Land in respect of its Phase 2 Aldgate East Development, a net zero carbon, 136,000-square-foot residential-led development.

Lawyers

Leading Individuals

Rachel Speight

Mayer Brown

Rachel Speight represents banks and sponsors in international structured and project financings. She particularly focuses on the mining finance sector and has experience in infrastructure finance in areas including the road, rail and healthcare sectors, including work on PPP projects.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ian Coles, Rachel Speight, Kirsti Massie

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Stone, Emma Sturt, Danuta de Vries, Ronan Mellon