Lawyers at London-based Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised Investec Aviation Finance on its recent launch of a $500 million aviation debt platform in partnership with an unnamed Japanese institutional investor.
The WFW team that worked with Investec on the deal, which was announced on March 13, was led by global aviation sector co-head and assets & structured finance partner Jim Bell.
“This deal highlights WFW’s expertise in advising on high-value and complex transactions and further cements our position as a global leader in the aviation sector," said Bell, who shared some of the workload with senior associate Abi Carter.
The platform, WFW said, is to initially target a $500m portfolio of "well-diversified loan assets", with a seed portfolio of $70m of senior loans across six aircraft and airlines in three continents already agreed.
The partnership will see international banking and asset management company Investec originate lending opportunities, co-invest in every deal, and advising on the management of the portfolio.
Investec will also make recommendations related to potential loan amendments, restructuring, aircraft repossession and exit opportunities.