Herbert Smith Freehills Finance team awarded "Finance Team of the Year" at the Legal Business Awards dinner in London on 7 April, 2016

The team was recognised for its advice to Virgin Atlantic on the airline's landmark secured bond financing - the first time in history that an airline has successfully accessed the value of its London Heathrow slot portfolio.

The deal was led by structured finance partner Michael Poulton, supported by lead associates Joy Amis and Charlene Kong. The broader team included finance partner John Nestel, airline regulatory partner Kim Dietzel and senior associate Sarah Benbow, asset finance partners Amanda Wales and John Angus and corporate partners Robert Moore and Gareth Roberts.

Gary Hommel, Global Co-Head of Finance, said: "It is very pleasing that our team has been publicly recognised for its success on this ground breaking deal. This was a genuine first. It demonstrates our ability to combine finance and specialist expertise to open up a new financing technique for the airline industry."

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