Partner
London
Simon is a versatile commercial real estate lawyer, with more than 15 years of experience in matters across different sectors. His experience ranges from traditional property transactions to energy and infrastructure projects, corporate real estate and financing
He regularly counsels clients on a broad range of real estate matters, including the acquisition and disposal of investment property across asset classes; advice to corporate occupiers on lettings and office moves; real estate development; and the property aspects of corporate and financing transactions.
Simon also has extensive experience in the energy sector, where he has advised on the acquisition, sale, development and financing of a variety of projects. He has particular knowledge in renewable energy, with significant experience in offshore and onshore wind, solar and biomass. He is a member of the Orrick team that is adept in the disposal of offshore transmission assets as part of the OFTO tender process run by Ofgem.
Energy and other projects
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on its partnership with Amberside Energy for the development of 2 GW + of solar PV, battery storage and solar PV with co-located battery storage projects in the UK. As part of the partnership, CIP will provide a development loan to Amberside to enable the development of the solar PV, battery storage and solar PV with co-located battery storage projects.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on its partnership with Bute Energy (Bute). As part of the transaction, CIP’s flagship fund Copenhagen Infrastructure IV K/S will invest in Bute’s portfolio of onshore wind farms and solar PV projects, some with co-located battery energy storage systems, under development in Wales, UK. The Bute portfolio consists of projects at various stages of development and is expected to have a total installed capacity of over 2GW by 2030.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on the sale of 100% of its 49% interest in a joint venture with Falck Renewables S.p.A. comprising an operational onshore wind portfolio in Scotland and Wales to Infrastructure Investment Fund, an infrastructure fund advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Race Bank Wind Farm Limited (a joint venture between Ørsted, Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund, a fund established by Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Development Bank of Japan, and Arjun Infrastructure Partners and Gravis Capital Management) on its £472.5 million sale of transmission system assets relating to the 573 MW Race Bank offshore wind farm to Diamond Transmission Partners (a consortium between a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation and HICL Infrastructure PLC), representing the largest OFTO transaction by value at the time of closing.
Galloper Wind Farm Limited (a joint venture between innogy SE, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo, ESB, and a consortium managed by Green Investment Group and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets) on its £281.8 million sale of the transmission assets relating to the 353 MW Galloper offshore wind farm to Diamond Transmission Partners pursuant to the OFTO regime.
Burbo Extension Ltd, a consortium of Ørsted A/S (previously DONG Energy A/S), Danish pension provider PKA and KIRKBI A/S, on the sale of transmission assets for Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm valued at approximately £193 million to Diamond Transmission Partners pursuant to the OFTO regime.
DONG Energy (now knowns as Ørsted) on its sale of a 50% stake in the 258 MW Burbo Bank Extension UK offshore wind farm project to Danish pension provider PKA and KIRKBI A/S, parent company of the LEGO Group.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on its acquisition of a 25% stake in the Beatrice Wind Project in Outer Moray Firth in northern Scotland.
PKA, one of Denmark’s leading pension funds, on its acquisition of a 50% stake in the Teesside Renewable Energy Plant in the North East of England. Macquarie Capital holds the remaining 50%, and the total investment in the plant anticipated to be in the region of £900 million.
Ørsted in relation to the development of a 20 MW battery storage project in Liverpool, its first venture into large-scale standalone storage.
A private energy developer on a range of projects, including the development and installation of CHP energy centres at a number of sites adjacent to agricultural nurseries in the UK; a solar development to be operated as a community infrastructure project; and the assembly of a portfolio of sites for development as gas-fired electricity generation plant.
Velocita Energy Developments on all property aspects of the acquisition of Maerdy Windfarm Limited, the developer of an eight turbine 24 MW onshore wind farm in South Wales, and on the subsequent project financing of the development, and sale of the development company to Greencoat UK Wind.
PNE Wind AG on the real estate aspects of the sale of its entire UK wind farm project pipeline, including coordinating Scottish law property advice
Deutsche Bank on the project financing of a £70 million 19 MW biomass-powered combined heat and power plant in Beckton, East London, together with ongoing advice post financial close.
Walney Extension Limited, a joint venture owned by Ørsted (50%) and Danish pension funds, PKA (25%) and PFA (25%), on its £447 million sale of transmission system assets relating to the 659MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm to Diamond Transmission Partners Walney Extension, a partnership between Mitsubishi subsidiary Diamond Transmission, HICL Infrastructure and Chubu Electric Power. The divestment took place in accordance with tender round 5 of the offshore transmission owner (OFTO) regime, with Diamond Transmission Partners Walney Extension selected by Ofgem, following a competitive tender.
Real Estate
Frasers Property Group on the £686 million business acquisition of a portfolio comprising four UK business parks (Winnersh Triangle (Berkshire), Chineham Park (Hampshire), Watchmoor Park (Surrey) and Hillington Park (Glasgow); on the £174.6 million share acquisition of Farnborough Business Park in Berkshire; and on the property acquisition of Maxis Business Park in Bracknell, Berkshire for £67 million under a conditional sale contract.
A joint venture company between a private investor and a private clinic, to acquire a private hospital on the Harley Street Estate, conditional upon landlord's consent and a leaseback of part to the seller.
An Asian investor on the acquisition of a company with rights to acquire a listed former fire station in central London, for development as a mixed use residential and leisure complex.
Two global corporations on their relocation to and pre-let of 75,000 sq. ft. and 120,000 sq. ft. respectively at a landmark building in the City of London – the first pre-lets to be signed during development; and subsequently advising on matters relating to the completion of the developer’s works, the completion of leases, tenants' fitting out works, and ongoing operational matters (including the subletting of surplus space to multiple subtenants following a reduction in space requirements by both businesses).
An international shipping company in relation to the exit from its existing leasehold premises and the acquisition of, and relocation to, a new headquarter premises in London.
SMT Holding SA on its acquisition, through new UK subsidiary Services Machinery & Trucks Ltd, of Volvo Construction Equipment’s GB dealership, including its freehold Cambridgeshire headquarters and eight leasehold distribution and management centres across the UK; and on SMT GB's subsequent acquisition of a new servicing centre.
A private property investor on the acquisition, financing, development and disposal of a number of schemes, including: