Global & Branch Councils

Rafael Alonso, Head of our Spanish offices, has a large and reputed professional experience in providing legal advice to national and international clients.

His primary practice is Corporate Finance. He regularly advises his clients on M&A deals, general corporate work, restructuring and group reorganizations, joint ventures, transactional work, etc.

He has also developed a vast experience within the real estate sector, advising to developers of different type of projects, investors and real estate funds, constructors, engineers and other players.

His professional profile is characterized by his ability to add value to his clients in the management of their legal affairs and to get involved in the strategic decision making of his clients

Mark Bain is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s leading infrastructure and project finance lawyers. He has acted on over 50 major public-private partnership (PPP) and alternative financing and procurement (AFP) transactions.

Mark has acted on a broad range of PPP, AFP and other infrastructure transactions across multiple sectors, including transport, transit, water/wastewater, healthcare, education, justice and urban redevelopment. He has represented all of the principal parties to such transactions, including sponsors, funders, contractors and public authorities.

Recent mandates include SRO Renewal Initiative (for the successful proponent), Ottawa Light Rail Transit (for the lenders), City of Regina Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade (for the public authority), Windsor Essex Parkway (for the successful proponent) and Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link (for the public authority).

Mark is the head of Torys’ Public-Private Partnerships practice, and co-head of the firm’s Infrastructure and Energy practice.  He is a Director of the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships.

Daphne Broerse is Managing Partner of the Amsterdam office of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright and member of the management committee of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. She also heads the Infrastructure team in Amsterdam. With a combined administrative law and civil law background, she advises governmental authorities as well as private parties on a wide range of issues in the projects sector. Keen interests of Daphne are securing the best risk allocation for the project, stakeholder management and alternative tender arrangements (e.g. Early Contractor Involvement).

Since 2008, Daphne has advised on and negotiated major project finance transactions in the port, infrastructure and energy sector, with a focus on the negotiation and drafting of the required project documentation.  In the Netherlands, Norton Rose Fulbright advised – amongst others – on the Coentunnel project, A15, Rotterdam World Gateway, A9 and the accommodation projects RIVM and De Knoop.

Daphne studied at the University of Utrecht and joined the Amsterdam Bar Association in 2001. She started her career as a legal adviser in the field of administrative law and environmental law at PWC in 1999.

Neil Collins has advised on PPP, project finance, mergers, acquisitions and disposals, corporate valuations, feasibility studies and other corporate finance assignments for fifteen years having joined KPMG in 1996. Neil’s PPP experience includes the €3bn NRA First Roads Programme, the €1bn NRA Second Roads Programme, the Metro North and Metro West projects, the Criminal Courts Complex PPP and the Northern Ireland Roads DBFO Programme.

Didier De Vliegher (partner) is head of the Real Estate Practice and of
the PPP focus group. His work includes corporate real estate work for
Belgian and international investors (acquisitions, real estate financing,
real estate fund work, sale & lease backs, etc.) and asset & project
finance work including PPP’s primarily as lenders’ counsel.
He regularly helps clients structure complex transactions and advises
on the ensuing regulatory and compliance issues.
Didier’s practice won the Best Real Estate and Construction Law Firm
Award in 2006, 2009 and in 2010 and the Via-Zaventem road
infrastructure PPP deal on which he represented Fortis won the
Project Finance Deal of the Year Award for European Transport Hub
and PPP in 2007.
Didier is a member of the Council of the Brussels Bar, an officer and
the Regional Representative Europe of the Real Estate Law
Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA) and a Council
member of the European Forum of the IBA.
Didier graduated from the University of Leuven (1983). He also holds a
post-graduate economic law (ULB) and an MBA from the Solvay
Business School.

Andy Garbutt is a Principal in KPMG’s Infrastructure Advisory team in the US, based in Austin, Texas and responsible for leading and developing KPMG’s P3 advisory services.

Andy has been with KPMG for 10 years and established the US Infrastructure Advisory team in 2006. Prior to joining KPMG, Andy was a project financier in the Royal Bank of Scotland’s public sector finance group, involved in advising and structuring a number of the early PFI transaction s in the UK.

Ian Greer has over 24 years project finance experience. Until July 2014 he was Managing Director at Standard & Poor’s, the global rating agency, holding positions including: Asia-Pacific Analytical Manager Infrastructure and Project Finance and Global Analytical Coordinator Project Finance. He was the key architect and lead author of Standard & Poor’s revised project finance criteria. Prior to this he was a project finance banker for seven years based in Australia. His experience covers PPP/PFI, transportation (tollroads, airports, rail), resources (mining, oil & gas, shipping), and energy (power, LNG, pipelines). In addition Ian has worked on traditional infrastructure concession financings and M&A across global debt markets. Ian’s early career in the mining industry as project coordinator for a major mining exploration project in West Africa resulted in the grant of a mining lease and investment by the IFC.

Ian has delivered project finance training programs in many global centers, including Tokyo, London, Sydney and Singapore and has lectured on finance for Kaplan, Melbourne University, Commonwealth Secretariat, and Bond University where he is an adjunct professor. Ian is a regular speaker at premier infrastructure conferences throughout Asia.

Ian holds an MBA from Cranfield, UK, and qualifications in finance and investment, science (geology), and adult education. He is a Fellow Financial Services Institute of Australia; Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors; Member Australian Institute of Management, and Member Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

James Harris is a Partner of Pinsent Masons in Singapore. He has expertise in project finance, infrastructure privatisation and public private partnerships (PPPs). He has advised governments, corporate and lenders across Asia, the Middle East, the UK as well as Australia, on numerous greenfield and brownfield infrastructure based transactions.

James is recognized as a leading project finance lawyer in several industry publications. He is well regarded for energy/power projects (including renewables), transport (roads, ports, sea ports, airports), water/waste projects as well as being experienced in projects involving hotels, resorts, casinos, sporting stadia, health facilities/hospitals and educational facilities.

Laura Huomo works as an Energy and capital markets counsel at Roschier, Attorneys Ltd. in Helsinki. She has extensive experience in international equity and debt capital offerings, including IPOs, as well as banking and structured finance transactions, and she focuses in particular on European and Finnish energy regulation and energy sector financing.

Laura has published internationally mainly on topics related to project financing of energy projects. She occasionally holds lectures in the Helsinki University Faculty of Law on collateral issues related to energy project financing. In addition, she was one of the two specialist secretaries in the committee of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy preparing the complete reformation of the Finnish Natural Gas Market Act.

Laura is recognized as one of the leading experts in banking & finance in Finland by international legal directories such as IFLR1000 and Chambers Global, who describe her as a foreign expert who is “experienced in advising clients on a range of international debt and equity transactions. She has particular expertise advising clients in the energy sector.” (Chambers Global, 2015). She is nominated as a rising star in IFLR1000 (IFLR1000 Energy & Infrastructure (2015). In addition to an LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School, Laura holds an LL.D. from the University of Helsinki (topic: Project Financing of Natural Gas Pipelines – A Study on Natural Gas Pipeline Project Financing under Financial Law and Law of Security Interests). Prior to joining Roschier in 2013, she worked as a counsel at White & Case in Helsinki. She is a member of the New York and Finnish Bar Associations.

With nearly 20 years experience in project finance across Australasia, the UK and the Middle East, Shaun is responsible for the legal function of project financed transactions within ACWA Holding and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and affiliates.

Shaun developed his legal skills in project finance at some of the world’s top ranked global law firms working for sponsors, concessionaires, construction companies, developers, secondary market infrastructure funds and lenders. After private practice, Shaun spent seven years working for the UK Treasury and was instrumental in developing PPP policy as the UK’s private finance model evolved in line with economic factors and market trends. He implemented best practice across government departments through various secondments and sat on numerous infrastructure panels to review, scrutinise and approve some of the UK’s most high profile infrastructure projects.

Before joining ACWA, Shaun worked for a global developer and covered finance, construction and operational aspects of PPP and outsourcing projects. He also held positions at board level for various subsidiaries within the group, reviewing and monitoring asset performance at an operational level.

Shaun professionally qualified as a solicitor in Australia and England and is an active public speaker at professional events within the Middle East. He is acknowledged as a leader in the region, having been recognized in the Middle East GC Powerlist for 2017 and 2018 published by ‘Legal 500’. Shaun has actively represented and participated in IPFA’s Middle East branch council since 2016.

Mike Peo is the head of the Infrastructure, Energy and Telecommunications business of Nedbank Capital. He is also the Chairman of the South African Chapter of the International Project Finance Association, is a member of the Governing Board of the African Infrastructure Investment Fund, one of the largest Infrastructure Funds in South Africa and is also a Director of Companies.

Mike is a CA (SA) who spent 10 years at Arthur Andersen and has had 20 years investment banking experience, with the past 16 years being primarily focused on the financing of large scale infrastructure projects in Africa. He has been extensively involved in most of the large scale infrastructure projects in South Africa and over the past five years has originated and led a number of landmark transactions, which have secured in excess of 20 international awards for Nedbank Capital.

Marzena has more then 20 years professional experience in investment banking and corporate finance. She advised number of foreign entities in their investments in Poland, as well as Polish government and local authorities. While being in London, Marzena was part of many privatisation projects  and sector studies.

Marzena specialises in PPP/ PFI type of projects dedicated to utilise private finance for capital intensive projects.  Currently she advises GDDKiA on highways and expressways as well as the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development on regional roads.  She advises both public side and private partners. The sectors include roads, social housing, schools, public transport, healthcare, dormitory accommodation PPPs.

She is co-author of the book on PPP  as well as  author of various publications and speaker at number of seminars and conferences on PPP.

PwC Peru Director of Corporate Finance, he was previously working as Senior Manager of the PwC Spain Capital Projects & Infrastructure practice.

Over 15 years of experience in conducting economic and financial consulting services in private and public investment projects.

Advise Private Sector in both, development and review of complex financial models, most of them within the Infrastructure sector, and advise clients on financial structures, viability, valuations, sensitivity and scenario analysis. Negotiation of terms and conditions with potential funders and capital market underwriters for project and finance. Advise private sector consortia on bid strategies and in the bid submissions.

Advise Public Sector in the development of feasibility studies for the different PPP projects in Europe and Latin-American markets, and the development of all the necessary documentation for the different infrastructure bidding process (roads, railroads, social infrastructures, telecom, etc.) to be grant by the Administration, taking into account the different problems arising due to the application of ESA-95. Assist the Public Sector in determining the best payment method for the different bidding process (shadow toll, availability payment, direct payment, etc.).

Financial modelling, development of complex financial models from scratch, most of them within the Infrastructure (transport infrastructures, such as roads, high speed rail, social infrastructure, such as hospital, etc.) and Energy sectors.

In the last five years he has advised and continues to advise the Peruvian Private Investment Promotion Agency (Proinversion) in the financial structuring of PPP projects such as: i) tender for the auction of 4G spectrum in the 1700 – 2100 MHz band, ii) tender for the operation (of non-medical services) and maintenance PPP contract for the National Children Health Institute – San Borja, iii) tender for the DFBOT concession of the Line 3 of the Lima Metro Network (ongoing), iv) tender for the DFBOT concession of the Tramo 4 of the Longitudinal de la Sierra (ongoing).

In addition, Carlos has provided financial structuring services for PPP projects in Spain and Chile in sectors such as High Speed Rails, Roads, Hospitals, Water Treatment, and Energy

Sergio Sambri, achieved broad and specific experience, not only in activities connected with privatisations and structured finance with reference to public works, energy law and public evidentiary procedures (work, equipment and services), but also in environmental and urban planning law.

In the project finance area, Mr. Sambri advises both financial institutions and companies on the structuring of proposals and enterprises to realise projects in both the energy and public works sectors at all project stages. More specifically, he prepares proposals; licensee tender offers; drafts documentation related to construction and management; drafts financing contracts and related security packages; and drafts and analyses commercial contracts related to specific transactions (e.g. EPC, O&M, supply, etc.).

In administrative law, Mr. Sambri advises both private and public entities on the development of joint venture transactions between local public authorities and local entities (Società di Trasformazione Urbana) and takes part at each stage of the project. He advises operators during the different phases of decontaminating polluted sites and analyses the issues concerning the environment, urban-planning and public laws. He has broad experience in public works realisation, as well as public tenders for the supply of goods and services. In this sector, he advises his clients in litigation matters before the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) and Consiglio di Stato.

His clients include energy and construction companies, public administration and financial institutions.

He has been a speaker at numerous congresses and seminars on laws related to project finance, energy and public tenders.

Dessislava Strothmann has been working for the VIFG (Transport Infrastructure Financing Company) since 2008 and is an expert in private finance, financing issues of PPP projects in the transport sector, financial modelling and value for money tests. Before joining the VIFG she worked in a national central and corporate bank in Frankfurt am Main, where she started her professional career in the credit department for project and acquisition finance. Dessislava studied at the University of Mannheim and graduated in Economics. She speaks Bulgarian (mother tongue), German, English and Russian.

Patrick joined FBN Capital in December 2011 having spent 3 years heading the project financing department of Standard Bank’s Lagos operations – i.e. Stanbic IBTC Bank.  He joined FBN Capital with over 20 years banking experience of which 18 years has been dedicated primarily towards financial advisory, structuring, debt arranging / lending and closing of big-ticket project finance transactions in the UK, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, U.A.E. and other GCC countries. He has worked on project financings in excess of approximately US$67 billion since 1996. As head of FBN Capital’s Debt Solutions Department, he is responsible for leading the deal team involved in advising, structuring, executing and closing of  the firm’s debt arranging and advisory activitiies.

Patrick’s infrastructure / project financing career commenced as a financial modeller at London Underground Limited’s (“LUL”) Project Finance Advisory Group as an executive member of the deal-team developing complex financial models, business cases, payment mechanisms and financing options where he advised and negotiated on various transport based projects being implemented by London Transport utilizing the UK Government’s Private Finance Initiative (“PFI”) at that time. His career further developed at the London branch of the German bank, Bayerische Landesbank’s (“BLB”) structured finance group where he undertook various project finance (PFI / BOT / PPP) duties, and subsequently as Assistant Manager, Project & Trade Finance Department, GCC Group, at Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (“APICORP”) Saudi Arabia where he was actively involved in a varied number of power, petrochemical, oil & gas and shipping transactions both in the execution, advisory, lending and syndication of facilities.  He was subsequently appointed Senior Corporate Banker and acting Head of project finance at National Commercial Bank (“NCB”), Saudi Arabia’s largest bank with prime responsibility for managing the bank’s project finance lending and advisory activities. At NCB Patrick led the deal team advising the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the US$8 billion plus Saudi Railway expansion Projects.

Since returning to Nigeria he has been involved as adviser to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation on their green-field refinery projects, Lagos State Government on the Blue Line Railway Project and the Lekki Airport project.  Prior to returning to Nigeria in 2008 he was Managing Director and Head of Project and Corporate Finance at Bahrain based Gulf One Investment Bank where he led the deal team responsible for structuring and arranging the funding of the King Abdulaziz International Airport (Hajj Terminal) – the first ever project financing for an airport in the GCC on a 100% Islamic finance basis.

Patrick Mgbenwelu is a regular industry speaker / panel member and writes case studies / articles in various PPP / project finance publications, he is a founding council member of the International Project Finance Association (“IPFA”) (Nigeria branch).  Patrick is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (“ACIB”) London, holds an M.Sc. Finance & Investment (UK), an MBA (UK) and also an Associate of the Institute of Financial Services, UK.  He sits on the advisory board of the Lagos Business School’s CIPRA (Centre for Infrastructure Policy Regulation & Advancement).