Current practice

Robert practices in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and capital raising.

Industry experience

Robert acted in the $2.7 billion IPO of Singapore Power’s Australian assets, through SP AusNet, as well as the floats of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund, Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund, Toll Holdings, Sims Group and Straits Resources and capital raisings for Orica, Coles Myer, Australian Infrastructure Fund, Gunns, Pacific Hydro and other corporations, including hybrid issues for Orica and Hastings Diversified.

Robert has acted in over 30 public company takeovers and schemes of arrangement, including Singapore Power’s recent $8 billion joint bid with Babcock & Brown for Alinta as well as Gunns’ bid for Auspine. Private M&A transactions include San Miguel’s $3 billion divestment of National Foods and Boags.

Robert’s acted for a consortium comprising Tokyo Electric, AGL, Commonwealth Bank and other investors in their acquisition of the 2100MW Loy Yang A power station and mine, with an enterprise value of $3.5 billion, as well as subsequent acquisitions of equity in Loy Yang A for Transfield Services. Robert also acted for Transfield Services in acquisitions of equity in Kwinana power station.

Robert’s experience in the infrastructure sector includes acting for National Grid in the development of the Basslink undersea power transmission project, as well as acquisitions for Hastings Funds Management of interests in Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast and other airports, including Hochtief’s portfolio of European airports.

Robert’s experience in government enterprises includes acting for the State of Victoria in the restructure of its state-owned electricity assets, development of a new regulatory and contractual framework and privatisation program which yielded $22 billion. Robert also acted for the State of Victoria in the privatisations of its gas assets and the Victorian Plantations Corporation, the owner and manager of 160,000 Ha of forest plantations. He has also acted for the State of Tasmania and Republic of Korea in relation to electricity industry restructure and reform.

Professional background