Clive Hopewell

Capital Markets, M&A

As a partner in our International Corporate Group based in London, I head up the International Capital Markets Practice across the firm.

I coordinate the capital markets practice worldwide and facilitate teams in the various offices where we have capital markets lawyers, to work closely together, share know how and look out for opportunities for each other and clients.

My own securities practice involves acting for institutions and issuers in respect of listings in London and elsewhere. I have extensive experience advising clients in a variety of sectors, with a particular emphasis on energy and utilities and technology and communications.

Clients come to me for my broad experience and significant track record in advising both corporates and investment banks on equity capital markets transactions in London and internationally. In having a balance of corporate and advisory clients, I can add significant value in having experience of a wide variety of transactions and in understanding which are the material issues from all angles. This means I can provide my clients with pragmatic, commercial and focused advice.

I was admitted to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1994 and during my 30-year career as a corporate lawyer, I have also experienced life as a regulator, as I spent two years as an adviser in the equity markets group of the London Stock Exchange (now known as the UK Listing Authority), where I gained valuable exposure and experience.

I have particular experience in advising on dual listings between London and the Toronto and Australian Stock Exchanges. In addition to my expertise in equity capital markets, I work on private financings and mergers & acquisitions. I also advise entrepreneurs, family offices and high net worth individuals on corporate transactions in a variety of jurisdictions.

Between 2009 and 2013 I was head of Middle East at my previous firm and was a resident in the Kingdom of Bahrain. I built the office in Bahrain up to become the largest international law firm office in the country, with clients ranging from leading families to state institutions. My largest client win was the Central Bank of Bahrain, which appointed us as Administrator of Awal Bank, which has become the largest administration in the Middle East. The original $5bn portfolio of assets is being fought over in the courts throughout the world. I maintain a practice in the Gulf and work closely with my colleagues in Bird & Bird's Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices and I travel to the region regularly.

Law Society

Editor – Corporate Finance IPO and M&A (Lexis Nexis)

Liveryman of Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

Oriental Club