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Clifford Chance advises Bi-PA on strategic agreement with Nichino Europe and sale of TEMAP® EMEA rights

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:57:00 GMT

TEMAP® is a patented bio-fungicide based on choline pelargonate that targets a broad range of important crop diseases. Developed by Bi-PA, TEMAP® has shown preventive, eradicative and early curative activity against a wide spectrum of fungal diseases.

The legal advice by Clifford Chance covered the core M&A mandate as well as comprehensive regulatory, IP and contractual support. In addition, in the run-up to and in preparation for the definite agreement, the Clifford Chance team also managed various arbitration and court proceedings for Bi-PA to clear the way for the transaction.

Bi-PA is headquartered in Londerzeel, Belgium, and focuses on the discovering, developing and advancing innovative crop protection solutions for sustainable agriculture. Since its founding in 1999, Bi-PA has developed scientific innovation into practical agricultural technologies through proprietary research, strategic collaborations and global development partnerships.

Nichino Europe, established in 2007, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd. based in Tokyo. It manages the development, registration and distribution of its parent company’s active ingredients for use in plant protection products through a network of partner customers across Europe and beyond.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partners Gunnar Sachs (Corporate/Healthcare) and Tobias Kamerling (Corporate/M&A) and comprised counsels Haruka Okihara (Corporate/Healthcare) and Nicolas Hohn-Hein (IP), senior associates Annabel Joschko and Kathrin Schroeder-Finckh (both Corporate/Healthcare), and associates Yannick Trauschold and Nebiyu Mahmud (both Corporate, all Düsseldorf). The core team also comprised partner Jan Conrady, senior counsel Stefan Lohn, senior associates Stephanie Brockers and Maximilian Loosen (all Disputes, Düsseldorf) as well as partner Dorothee Vermeiren (Disputes, Brussels).

From the firm's London office advised partner Alex Walker and senior associates Molly Margiotta and Andrew Quaile (all Corporate). Advice on Belgium law aspects was provided by counsel Nathan Tulkens (Disputes) and Stijn Van Walleghem, senior associate Inès Mahaux (both Tax), and associates Avril Miller (Corporate) and Philippe Grignard (Employment, all Brussels).

Press contact: Nadja Fersch

Clifford Chance continues Houston growth with addition of Debt Finance counsel Matt Snodgrass

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:44:00 GMT

Snodgrass counsels lenders, public and private borrowers, and private equity sponsors in complex lending and commercial financing transactions. His experience includes domestic and cross-border financing transactions, asset-based lending, syndicated loan transactions and other energy-related financing transactions, as well as representing clients in connection with debt capital markets transactions and distress situations.

Houston Office Managing Partner Alex Wilde said, "Matt's arrival marks another important step in the growth of our Houston office. His experience further strengthens our ability to support clients across complex energy and infrastructure financing transactions in the US and globally."

Snodgrass said, "I'm excited to join Clifford Chance at such an exciting time for the Houston office. The team's collaborative approach and ability to bring together lawyers across practices to support energy and infrastructure clients was a major draw for me."

Snodgrass's arrival marks the fifth senior addition to Clifford Chance's Houston office since May, reflecting the firm's continued expansion in the market. Together with recent additions Matt Jones and Carter Olson, he adds further depth to the firm's energy and infrastructure finance capabilities as it continues to expand its support for clients across financing, M&A, capital markets and restructuring matters.

With more than 450 attorneys across New York, Washington, DC, Houston and São Paulo, the firm combines deep local market knowledge with the reach of a fully integrated global partnership. The Americas team advises clients on complex US, Latin America and cross-border corporate, finance, regulatory, litigation, investigations and disputes matters across key sectors including energy and infrastructure, private capital and financial services, healthcare and life sciences, and technology.

Clifford Chance advises Volkswagen Group on US$3.05 billion bond issuance

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:43:00 GMT

In the Rule 144A U.S. offering, Volkswagen Group raised a total of US$3.05 billion structured through five tranches issued by Volkswagen Group of America Finance, LLC. The banking syndicate for this transaction comprised Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Santander US Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. All bonds are guaranteed by Volkswagen AG.

Clifford Chance regularly advises Volkswagen on the issuance of high-volume bonds in the U.S., most recently in September 2025.

The cross-border Clifford Chance team comprised partner George Hacket, counsel Andrei Manea and senior associate Gordana Golubic-Huertas on U.S. Capital Markets matters as well as partner Cristina Freudenberger and transaction lawyer Felicitas Fischer on German law matters (all Capital Markets, Frankfurt), partner Paul Deakins (Capital Markets, London), partner Olaf Mertgen and Avrohom Gelber (both Tax, Frankfurt and New York).

Press contact: Nadja Fersch

Clifford Chance advises RNV Infrastructure on the sale of a BESS project to SANY International Industrial

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Partner Nadia Badea said: “We are honoured to have completed another transaction alongside the Renovatio Group, a leader in the renewable energy sector, with which we share an extensive partnership. Every transaction in which we advise– whether it is an M&A transaction or financing – represents an important milestone in their business vision, and we are happy to have contributed to its advancement.”

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) have become a critical component of regional energy infrastructure and security, and this segment continues to attract investors and strategic capital. In this context, our Energy practice has intensified its activity, advising leading investors, developers and financiers on M&A transactions and BESS project development, optimisation contracts and major financings.”

Press contact: Anne Marie Nistoroiu

Clifford Chance advises The Executive Centre on US$585 million financing from Apollo

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:21:00 GMT

The financing is intended primarily to refinance existing debt and support TEC's future growth and expansion plans.

Lead partner Charlotte Leung said: "We are pleased to have advised The Executive Centre on this significant financing. The transaction demonstrates the continued evolution of capital solutions available to businesses across Asia Pacific and highlights the growing role of hybrid financing structures in supporting refinancing and growth objectives."

The Clifford Chance team was led by Debt Finance partner Charlotte Leung, with support from counsels, Chit Kwong and Alexander Sorgese, associates Sachin Kinger and Hong Yang See, and trainee solicitors Donald Tsang and Oliver Lai. The M&A aspects were led by partner Shimin Lee with support from partner Tom Lin, counsel Wesley Tan, associate Denzyl Ang and trainee solicitor Emily Stanton.

Media contact: Madhu Mirpuri

Clifford Chance advises on Redwood Trust's upsized US$205 million convertible senior notes offering

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:50:00 GMT

The Clifford Chance team was led by partners Andrew Epstein (New York) and Om Pandya (Houston) along with capital markets associates Paul Lakkis, Jed Tifft and Leah Rahmani (New York) and associate Sophia Navedo-Quinones (Houston). They were supported on tax matters by partner Michael Seaton and associates Allison Kelly and Maggie Shi (New York), and on derivatives matters by partner Andrew Des Rault and counsel Issac Lee.

Press contact: Maria Arnone

Clifford Chance advises EDF power solutions North America on financing for Utah Solar 1 project

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:10:00 GMT

The project is expected to generate approximately 766,000 MWh of clean energy annually.

The financing consisted of secured credit facilities provided by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, MUFG Bank, Ltd., National Bank of Canada, Société Générale and Standard Chartered Bank. The transaction also included a production tax credit transfer arrangement for production tax credits generated by the project.

Energy and Infrastructure partner Shellka Arora-Cox commented, “We are delighted to have supported EDF power solutions North America on the financing of Utah Solar 1. This transaction reflects the continued importance of sophisticated debt and tax credit monetization structures in accelerating renewable energy deployment and supporting the broader energy transition."

Arora-Cox led the multi-practice team, working closely with associate Joyce Moore (New York).

The wider team consisted of:

Tax: Partner Alex Leff and associate Elbert Belk (Houston)
Project Finance: Associates Henry Myers (New York) and Nicholas Johnson (Washington, DC) and law clerk Javier Melendez (Washington, DC)
Energy Regulatory: Partner Marcia Hook (Washington, DC)
Derivatives: Counsel Issac Lee and associate Sylvia Mueller (New York)
Environmental: Partner Ty'Meka Reeves-Sobers (Houston) and associate Kami McFarland (Washington, DC)
Financial crimes: Partner Megan Gordon and counsel Catherine Ennis and Jacqueline Landells (Washington, DC)
Funds: Partner Jefferey LeMaster and associate Dennis Morrisroe (New York)
ERISA: Partner Paul Koppel and associates Ivona Dimov and Ebony Williams (New York)

Press contact: Maria Arnone

Clifford Chance advises Volkswagen on dual tranche RMB3 billion Panda bond issue under its DFI Programme

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The bond, which was underwritten by Bank of China Limited, CITIC Securities Company Limited, HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, was sold to institutional investors. Tranche one amounted to RMB2 billion with a term of three years and a coupon of 1.720 per cent., while tranche two amounted to RMB1 billion, holding a coupon of 1.820 per cent. and which will be due in 2031.

Clifford Chance frequently advises corporate and financial institution issuers and bank syndicates in connection with national and international capital market transactions and has advised Volkswagen Group on the establishment and update of their DFI Programme as well as the first five Panda bond issuances.

The international Clifford Chance advisory team was led by partner Cristina Freudenberger and comprised transaction lawyer Felicitas Fischer (both Capital Markets, Frankfurt), as well as partner Olaf Mertgen and counsel Steffen Waadt (both Tax, Frankfurt), partner Jurgen van der Meer and associate Kris Soomers (both Capital Markets, Amsterdam), senior associate Robin Houtveen and associate Johan Anton Niesten (both Tax, Amsterdam) as well as partner Angela Chan, senior associate Michael Cheng and associate Xinyue Yang (all Capital Markets, Hong Kong).

Fangda Partners advised Volkswagen on PRC law. The team was led by Helen Zhao and included Howie Jiang and Ariel Fan.

Press contact: Nadja Fersch

Clifford Chance advises a subsidiary of leading international savings and investment business M&G on landmark sale and securitisation of £1bn+ Equity Release Mortgage portfolio

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:43:00 GMT

The transaction represents the largest public ERM securitisation completed in the UK to date and the first ERM securitisation in which the junior tranche was publicly marketed rather than privately placed, marking a significant development in the evolution of the UK ERM market.

Maggie Zhao, Global Head of Clifford Chance's Structured Finance practice, commented: "We are delighted to have advised our client on this landmark transaction. As the largest public UK ERM securitisation to date, it demonstrates the strength and continued development of the ERM market while highlighting continued investor interest in the asset class."

The cross-practice team was led by partner Maggie Zhao, supported by Anna-Lena Marx and Gyasi Vialva-Husbands, with partner Chris Davies advising on tax aspects and partner Matt Lyons advising on US law matters.

Press contact: Chanelle Mutawe

Clifford Chance advises Goldman Sachs International, J.P. Morgan and the joint bookrunners on the establishment of a €10 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme for Mileway and the inaugural €1.5 billion dual-tranche issuance

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:37:00 GMT

Mileway, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the largest last mile real estate company in Europe, with a portfolio of assets across nine countries on the Continent. The business serves customers through a highly diversified, multi-tenant portfolio concentrated in supply-constrained urban logistics locations near key population centres and infrastructure hubs.

The transaction builds on Clifford Chance's strong record of supporting on bond market financing for European real estate issuers.

The cross-practice team was led by partner Kate Vyvyan, senior associates Jeffery Hung and John Thomson and associate Bailey James with support from partner Michael Dakin, senior associate Yash Ranade and trainee solicitor Yuqiao Feng. Counsel Maxime Budzin advised on Luxembourg tax aspects. Partner Avrohom Gelber advised on US tax aspects. Partners Jemma Dick and Cameron Dwyer advised on UK tax aspects, with support from associates Stefaniya Yakubova and Marco Montanaro. Partner Bruce Kahl, senior associate Andrew Whelan and trainee solicitor Seungmin Bang advised the Trustee and Agents on the transaction.

Press contact: Emma Cessford

Clifford Chance advises Rock Rail and Aberdeen Investments on landmark battery-electric train fleet for TransPennine Express

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:07:00 GMT

The investment is strategically important for both the North of England and the wider UK rail industry, supporting faster, more frequent, more efficient and lower-carbon rail connectivity, while helping to drive economic growth, job creation and business investment.

The investment will support the delivery of 29 new five-car trains as part of the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade, one of the UK's largest rail modernisation programmes, covering Liverpool, Manchester, Manchester Airport, Leeds, Hull, York, Scarborough and Saltburn.

Clifford Chance's team was led by partner Paul Carrington and senior associate Reiss Guiness, with support from senior associates Emma Durrell and Olga Korshun, and associates Rory O'Driscoll, Ope Oreyemi and Lauren McGowan.

Press contact: Sonia Malhotra-Denny

Energy transition: Clifford Chance advises commercial lenders and European Investment Bank on €2.1 billion financing of Gennaker offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:16:56 GMT

Gennaker is being developed by Skyborn Renewables and is set to become the largest offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea. Stadtwerke München will acquire a 25 per cent equity stake in the project and partner with Skyborn Renewables in the development and construction of the wind farm. The project is backed by a diversified offtake strategy, including long-term power purchase agreements with Amazon and Uniper.

With a planned capacity of up to 976.5 MW, Gennaker is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately one million households annually once operational. The project is located in German territorial waters off the coast of the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and will comprise 63 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines with a capacity of 15 MW each.

The project is expected to advance towards construction, with turbine installation scheduled to begin in late summer 2027 and commissioning expected by mid-2028.

Florian Mahler, partner and Co-Head of Clifford Chance’s Worldwide Projects Group, comments:

“Gennaker is a landmark offshore wind project and we are proud to have supported a transaction that will help deliver large-scale renewable energy generation in Germany. Advising the lenders and the European Investment Bank on this highly complex financing demonstrates once again Clifford Chance’s strong offshore wind capabilities and the strength of our international and cross-practice team."

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner Florian Mahler (Project Finance, Düsseldorf) and comprised counsel Mateusz Chruściak (Debt Finance, Warsaw), senior associates Birte Hüller and Brianna Harcus (both Düsseldorf), Benjamin Evans (London, all Project Finance) and Christopher Banks (Debt Finance, Munich), associates Maximilian Schroff (Düsseldorf), Jasmin Sahota and Sailesh Shah (both London, all Project Finance), legal project managers Antonia Sopp (London) and Mark Freake (Frankfurt) as well as senior transaction lawyer Rima Lenders (Project Finance, Düsseldorf). Hedging support was provided by partner David Neu and senior associate Christopher Banks (both Debt Finance, Munich). Corporate and regulatory advice was provided by partners Mathias Elspaß and Tobias Kamerling, of counsel Björn Heinlein, senior associates Duy Tuong Huynh, Louisa Busch and Marie Georgi as well as associate Frederik Roos (all Düsseldorf).

Partner Delphine Siino Courtin and the associates Maxence De Rouville and Manon Guéry (all Project Finance, Paris) acted as special counsel to the European Investment Bank.

Press contact: Nadja Fersch

Clifford Chance advises Elia Transmission Belgium on €1 billion EIB financing for Princess Elisabeth Island project

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:00:19 GMT

The financing will support the second phase of the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island, which will serve as an offshore energy hub connecting existing and future offshore wind capacity to the Belgian grid while facilitating greater integration of the European electricity market and supporting future cross-border interconnections.

The €1 billion facility represents the largest financing granted by the EIB to an energy infrastructure project in the Benelux region and builds on the EIB's previous support for the project.

The financing agreement was formally signed during an official ceremony held in Ostend, attended by representatives of Elia, the EIB and other stakeholders.

The Clifford Chance team advising Elia Transmission Belgium was led by Senior Counsel Wim Aerts assisted by Associate Magaly El-Hallal.

This transaction further highlights Clifford Chance's leading role in advising on complex and strategic energy and infrastructure financing projects supporting the energy transition across Europe.

Press contact: Marion Meunier

Clifford Chance advises funds managed by Ares, Abound Capital, InnoVen Capital and January Capital on S$100 million financing to Silicon Box

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:00:19 GMT

Clifford Chance advises Daniel Křetínský-controlled 1890s Holdings on its shareholding in West Ham United Football Club

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:37:51 GMT

The Clifford Chance team is led by Corporate Partner Katherine Moir, supported by Senior Associate Andrew Quaile. Partner Chris Yates is advising on regulatory matters.

Press contact: Sonia Malhotra-Denny

Clifford Chance advises the mezzanine subordinated lenders to Groupe Le Duff on the financing of the acquisition of Panamar Bakery

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:52:00 GMT

A global player in the food industry, Groupe Le Duff has completed the acquisition of Panamar Bakery Group (with revenue of approximately €600 million in 2026 and 2,600 employees). This transaction represents the largest acquisition completed to date by Groupe Le Duff and Bridor.

A family-owned company and market leader across retail, hospitality, foodservice and bakery sectors, Panamar Bakery Group is a Spanish manufacturer and distributor of frozen bakery products, recognized for its high quality standards. The company exports its core product—bread—as well as viennoiserie and pastry products to more than 20 countries, supported by an integrated production and distribution network.

This transaction will notably enable Bridor to further strengthen its global industrial and logistics capabilities across the 100 countries in which it operates.

BNP, Crédit Agricole CIB, National Bank Financial Markets, Rabobank, UNEXO, Unigrains, IDIA Capital Investissement, La Caisse (formerly CDPQ), J.P. Morgan and Amundi assisted Groupe Le Duff with the financial structuring of the transaction, combining a senior debt tranche and a mezzanine debt tranche.

The Clifford Chance team comprised Pierre-Benoît Pabot du Châtelard, partner, Sophie Laporte, senior associate, Gwenvael Porsmoguer, associate, as well as Hanène Zemir, senior associate, and Adrianna Gelbert, associate, on the tax aspects.

Press contact: Lydia Persico

Clifford Chance deepens US Complex Commercial Transactions & Outsourcing healthcare capabilities with appointment of Adam Young

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:52:00 GMT

Young joins the CCTO team after more than a decade at one of the nation's largest healthcare organizations, where he most recently led the legal team supporting enterprise procurement and related operational functions. He advises clients on complex commercial, technology and outsourcing transactions, helping organizations structure, negotiate and implement strategic business arrangements. He has experience advising on enterprise procurement, technology-enabled services and large-scale sourcing transactions in regulated industries, most notably healthcare.

Global Head of Corporate Transactions & Advisory Sarah Jones said, "Healthcare organizations are facing a unique mix of operational, technology and regulatory pressures, and the commercial arrangements that support their businesses are becoming increasingly complex. We are investing in this sector because we see a significant opportunity to lead the market in helping clients navigate those challenges. Adam brings valuable firsthand industry experience that complements our deep transactional capabilities, strengthening our ability to deliver practical, business-focused advice to healthcare clients."

CCTO partner Meighan O'Reardon said, "Adam's arrival reflects the continued growth of our US CCTO practice. We have a strong track record advising healthcare clients and Adam adds another dimension with his in-house perspective and direct experience working with industry leaders. He understands how legal, procurement and business stakeholders must work together to execute major transformation initiatives, and that practical insight will be invaluable to our clients."

Young said, "Healthcare organizations operate in an environment where business, technology and regulatory considerations are deeply interconnected. Throughout my career, I have advised on complex commercial and sourcing transactions in highly regulated environments, and I look forward to working with the team to help clients navigate these challenges."

Young joins a rapidly expanding US CCTO team that has more than doubled in size over the last three years as Clifford Chance continues to invest in capabilities that help clients manage increasingly complex commercial, technology and outsourcing arrangements.

With more than 450 attorneys across New York, Washington, DC, Houston and São Paulo, the firm combines deep local market knowledge with the reach of a fully integrated global partnership. The Americas team advises clients on complex US, Latin America and cross-border transactional, regulatory and disputes matters across key sectors including private capital and financial services, healthcare and life science, technology, infrastructure, and energy.

Clifford Chance advises Legal & General Digital Infrastructure Fund on investment in independent Benelux towers platform

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:24:00 GMT

Legal & General, DigitalBridge and TD Asset Management have entered into a binding agreement to acquire VodafoneZiggo Towers from Ziggo Group. VodafoneZiggo Towers operates more than 3,100 tower sites in the Netherlands and will be combined with Belgium Tower Partners, the mobile towers platform sponsored by DigitalBridge, which operates more than 3,500 tower sites in Belgium. The combined platform will comprise more than 6,600 sites across Belgium and the Netherlands, creating the leading independent tower infrastructure platforms in the Benelux and supporting future connectivity needs, 5G deployment and network expansion.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in early 2027.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partners Gillis Waelkens and Nick Spurrell, supported by Senior Associate Stéphanie De Smet and Associates Avril Miller, Gauthier Peemans, Wouter De Cleen and Aaron Gelfand. The wider multidisciplinary team included Stijn Van Walleghem, Pieter De Bock, Jonathan Blondeel, Anastasios Tomtsis, Maxime Vander Motten, Richard Hastings, Catherine Freeman and Gert Cuppens.

Press contact: Marion Meunier

Clifford Chance advises Goldman Sachs and Citi on landmark £704 million NEC Group CMBS securitisation and capex financing

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:06:00 GMT

The transaction involved both the origination of the loan level financing as well as its securitisation through an integrated CMBS structure. This transaction further demonstrates Clifford Chance's market-leading capabilities across complex real estate finance and securitisation transactions and builds on the firm's track record advising on flagship European CMBS and structured finance transactions.

The cross-practice team was led by Partners Will Sutton and Barry O’Shea, with support from Senior Associates Neelasha Nemani and Veronica Galbraith and Associates Yaser Razouk, Charlotte Lam and Ella-Rae Coleby. Alongside them, Matt Lyons (Partner) advised on US securities law aspects, Jemma Dick (Partner) and Gordon Hopkinson (Director) on UK tax aspects, Avrohom Gelber (Partner) and Michaela Morr (Counsel) on US tax aspects, Paul Koppel (Partner) on ERISA matters and Ian Painter (Partner) and James Law (Senior Associate) on real estate matters.

Press contact: Emma Cessford

Clifford Chance advises ICG on its agreement to acquire Westerleigh Group from Ontario Teachers’ and USS

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:42:00 GMT

ICG’s European Infrastructure team will acquire Westerleigh from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Universities Superannuation Scheme which have jointly owned the business since 2016, supporting a period of significant growth for the Company.

The Clifford Chance team advising ICG was led by infrastructure private equity partner Thomas Fisher, with support from senior associates Jessica Berkeley, Joshua Higgins and Megan Hodges, and associate Damilola Akinrele. Partner Alexandra Dimsdale Gill advised on financing.

The wider team included tax partner Nicola Hemsley and associates Archie Zverev and Alfie Futureman; finance senior associate Elphina Franklin and associate Boma George; environmental partner Nigel Howorth and senior associate Antonia Sandford; incentives partner Sonia Gilbert and senior associate Jennifer Danso; and financial regulation partner Simon Crown and senior associate Yolanda-Alma Ghita-Blujdescu.

Press contact: Sonia Malhotra-Denny