BenLarkin

Partner

London + 44.20.7039.5825

Ben Larkin's practice encompasses all aspects of corporate work including M&A and restructuring. He particularly has in-depth experience in infrastructure-related transactions.

Ben is recognized as a leader in his field and is described by The Legal 500 as "exceptional" and is applauded by Chambers UK for his superior knowledge of the infrastructure sector. He has led significant cross-border M&A and restructurings in the infrastructure, health care, telecom, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. He acts for a wide variety of funds, investment banks, and corporations.

Ben also has been featured in Chambers as a notable practitioner in the restructuring sector, where clients say that he "really knows the risks and opportunities that distressed businesses face," explaining that "his understanding and experience help him get his clients what they need." He is regarded as a leader in infrastructure-related restructurings; clients say "he is brilliant at subject matter, tactics and negotiation."

Recent experience includes the disposal of Marken, a global pharmaceutical distributor to UBS; representing Veolia on the refinancing and restructuring of the Harkand shipping group; acting for a major international bank on the cross-border restructuring of NMC Healthcare; as well as acting for an international infrastructure fund in relation to transactions in the telecoms, energy, renewables, and transport sectors.

Experience

  • Joint Administrators of The Body Shop International Limited (in administration) sell business and assetsJones Day advised Geoffrey Rowley, Anthony Wright and Alastair Massey of FRP Advisory in their capacity as joint administrators of The Body Shop International Limited (in administration), an appointee of the shareholder, Aurelius Investment Advisory Limited, in connection with the trading administration and subsequent sale of the company's business and assets.
  • Macquarie acquires Beacon HospitalJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 7, in the acquisition of Beacon Hospital from a consortium of shareholders.
  • Aluminium Dunkerque Group obtains $375 million financingJones Day advised the Aluminium Dunkerque Group and its shareholder, American Industrial Partners in the context of the refinancing of the existing indebtedness of the Aluminium Dunkerque group and the financing of its general corporate purpose.
  • Esquire sells ClintonsJones Day advised Esquire Holdings LLC in the sale of Esquire Retail Limited, the operating company of the business trading as “Clintons” (formerly known as Clinton Cards) to a strategic investor.
  • Macquarie acquires 50% of Enel Green Power HellasJones Day represented Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie GIG Renewable Energy Fund 2 SCSp, in its acquisition of 50% of Enel Green Power Hellas from Enel Green Power S.p.A. for an enterprise value of approximately €980 million.
  • Leading real estate investment manager restructures non-performing debt investment by way of consensual transfer of ownership of assetJones Day advised one of the world's leading real estate investment managers on its successful restructuring of a non-performing debt investment.
  • Joint monitors supervise Part A1 moratorium and save business as a going concernJones Day advised Chad Griffin and Geoff Rowley of FRP Advisory Trading Limited in their capacity as joint monitors of Corin USA's Part A1 moratorium.
  • Esquire Retail Limited, trading as the greeting card retailer Clintons, successfully completes a financial restructuring by way of a Restructuring PlanJones Day advised Esquire Retail Limited, trading as the greeting card retailer Clintons, in successfully completing a financial restructuring implemented by way of a Restructuring Plan under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006. This was one of the first restructuring plans of a mid-market company to successfully achieve a cross-class cramdown.
  • Lazard Asset Management completes inaugural investment in DBE EnergyJones Day advised Lazard Asset Management in connection with the Lazard Global Sustainable Private Infrastructure team’s inaugural investment in DBE Energy, owner, and operator of an anaerobic digestion plant in Surrey, England.
  • Macquarie agrees to acquire Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for approximately €2.4 billionJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management in the execution of a put option agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for €2.4 billion.
  • Comet liquidator obtains £100m+ judgment on leading Insolvency Act preference claimJones Day represents Geoff Carton-Kelly, liquidator of CGL Realisations Limited (formerly Comet Group Limited), in successfully obtaining a £100m+ judgment against Darty Holdings SAS by way of a preference claw back claim arising from the retail giant's collapse into administration in November 2012.
  • Macquarie acquires Euston Solar FarmJones Day advised Macquarie in the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Euston Solar Farm Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Sun Communities Inc. acquires Park Leisure 2000 Ltd.Jones Day advised Sun Communities, Inc. in the £186 million acquisition of Park Leisure 2000 Ltd. from Midlothian Capital Partners.
  • AIP acquires Aluminium BelgiumJones Day advised American Industrial Partners in the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Aluminium Belgium BV, the parent company which owns Aluminium Duffel, from Ecnavla 8 UK Ltd.
  • Macquarie Asset Management acquires 50% shareholding in Island Green PowerJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management ("MAM"), via Macquarie Green Investment Group Renewable Energy Fund 2 ("MGREF2"), in its acquisition of 50% of the shares in Island Green Power Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Sun Communities acquires Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billionJones Day advised Sun Communities, Inc. on its acquisition of Park Holidays UK for approximately $1.3 billion.
  • American Industrial Partners Capital Fund VII takes control of Aluminium Dunkerque companiesJones Day has advised American Industrial Partners Capital Fund VII, L.P. in connection with the acquisition of the Aluminium Dunkerque companies through the foreclosure on the shares of Liberty France Industries 1 SA, which were pledged to affiliates of AIP under mezzanine financing arrangements previously provided to Aluminium Dunkerque, due to ongoing payment and other defaults.
  • Macquarie acquires Beauparc Utilities, Ireland’s largest waste management companyJones Day advised Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 6 in the acquisition and financing of Beauparc Utilities, Ireland’s largest waste management company.
  • Lucid acts as agent and security agent in restructuring of leading audio technology companyJones Day has advised Lucid Agency and Trustee Services as agent and security agent in connection with all matters relating the restructuring of a leading audio technology company.
  • ZapGo sells business and assets in administration saleJones Day advised David Buchler of Buchler Phillips Ltd and Darren Edwards of Aspect Plus Limited in their capacity as joint administrators of ZapGo Ltd (in administration), in connection with the marketing and sale of the company's business and assets.