Richard Knott advises sovereign, financial, and strategic investors in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint venture transactions. He takes a pragmatic, results-oriented approach in advancing his clients’ interest. Richard formerly worked with one of the leading sovereign wealth funds in Abu Dhabi advising on outbound investment and strategic transactions in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, as well as the first-ever establishment of a third-party capital platform within a sovereign wealth fund. Richard is admitted to practice in New South Wales, Australia.
Extended Profile
Richard advises on acquisitions and divestments ranging from co-investments through to co- and sole-control transactions, including bespoke capital structure and funds components, as well as joint venture arrangements and material portfolio company legal issues. His experience working in-house provides him with an understanding of client perspectives and sensitivities, and allows him to identify material issues of strategic and operational relevance, in addition to legal issues. Prior to his four years with a sovereign wealth fund, Richard worked at a global law firm in Abu Dhabi and in Sydney, Australia, at one of Australia’s leading law firms, where he advised clients on multibillion dollar private M&A, joint venture, structured, and capital market transactions.
Selected Representations
Alabbar Enterprises in its $4 billion acquisition of the Kuwait Food Co.
Saudi Aramco in its $3 billion joint venture with Lanxess
Emaar Malls Group in its $1.6 billion IPO
Dubai Parks & Resorts in its AED2.5 billion ($680 million) IPO
ASX-listed Greencross Limited in its acquisition of Mammoth Pet Holdings
US-based Genuine Parts Company in its acquisition of Exego (Repco)
Queensland Treasury Holdings in its sell-down of ASX-listed Aurizon (QR National)
Magellan Flagship Fund, Collins Foods, and various others in their IPOs
Education
University of Technology, Sydney, LL.B.
Securities Institute of Australia, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment
Queensland University of Technology, Australia, Bachelor of Business