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Chris Walters

Partner, Head of Middle East Corporate
Dubai Africa Group

Chris is the Head of our Middle East corporate practice and is regularly involved in advising clients in relation to significant multi-jurisdictional mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and investments.

Chris advises on the full scope of the transaction, from identifying appropriate structures and conducting the required legal due diligence to drafting and negotiating the entire suite of transaction documentation.

Background

Prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills in June 2018, Chris worked for the Dubai office of a US law firm and has been based in Dubai since January 2015.

 

Latest insights

 

Experience & expertise

Selected matters

  • Uber B.V. on its $3.1 billion acquisition of Careem, the largest provider of internet-led transportation in the Middle East. This is the biggest ever technology acquisition in the Middle East
  • Aramex, a leading listed logistics provider, on the disposal of Infofort, a multi-jurisdictional part of its group by way of a competitive auction process
  • ASMA Capital Partners, acting in its capacity as investment manager for the IDB Infrastructure Fund II, on its $75 million pre-IPO investment into Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Company FZE (BPGIC), through the purchase of convertible notes issued by BPGIC's UK based parent company
  • Qannas Investments Limited, a closed-ended investment company whose shares are admitted to trading on AIM, on its proposed acquisition of a portfolio of assets and liabilities from a consortium of UAE investors to be completed by way of a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules
  • Abu Dhabi Financial Group on its successful merger with SHUAA Capital PSC, creating one of the largest financial services providers in the Middle East. This landmark transaction relied on the rarely used strategic investor route under UAE companies legislation
  • Provis Real Estate Management on the 100% acquisition of a property management and advisory business in the UAE
  • a confidential client on the acquisition of a 20% stake in a major aluminium producer in the UAE
  • Amanat Holdings PJSC on the acquisition of a 69.3% shareholding in Royal Maternity Hospital Holding in Bahrain, the company that owns and operates The Royal Hospital for Women, from Venture Capital Bank
  • Amanat Holdings PJSC on the acquisition of Middlesex University's Dubai campus from Abraaj Capital
  • Abu Dhabi Financial Group in connection with its proposed acquisition of Abraaj's investment management business, which included Abraaj's rights and obligations in respect of a number of funds focused on growth markets such as Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Turkey