Clifford Chance leads on $1.15bn Kuwaiti LSE float

Clifford Chance has snared a lead role on a $1.15bn (£580m) Kuwaiti listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Clifford Chance partners Simon Sinclair and Robert Trefney led the firm's team advising Kuwaiti investment company Global Investment House on the listing of global depository receipts in London. This is the first listing of its type for a Kuwait company.

Sinclair said: "Clifford Chance has the depth of experience in the Middle East. I think our experience on recent deals meant that we were a good choice for the company.

"It is always challenging advising on deals that don't have a well trodden path. We had to be sure we satisfied Kuwaiti tax and regulatory requirements for example. It was a very interesting deal to be working on."

HSBC was the sole global coordinator for the transaction and Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan and UBS acted as joint bookrunners. The banks were advised by Linklaters partner Jason Manketo.

Last year Sinclair led a team advising Barclays as underwriters on Kuwaiti company and Allen & Overy client International Investment Group's $200m (£101.69m) debut sukuk. The issuance represents the first-ever Islamic finance convertible bond.

Sinclair commented, "It is always challenging advising on deals that don't have a well-trodden path. We had to be sure we satisfied Kuwaiti tax and regulatory requirements, for example."

Linklaters partner Jason Manketo led the firm's team advising banks Barclays, Deutsche, HSBC, JP Morgan and UBS.
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