Baker McKenzie Continues to Grow its Banking & Finance Practice with the Appointment of a New Head of Project Finance Based in Melbourne

The Firm today welcomes a new Head of Project Finance, Miles Wadley as a partner in Melbourne-formerly a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSFK).

Miles' appointment follows the recent appointment of banking partners Hamish McCormack in July (Melbourne) and Bryan Paisley in February (Sydney).

Baker McKenzie's National Managing Partner, Anne-Marie Allgrove stated: "We are excited to have Miles join our Banking & Finance team to lead the Project Finance practice working with our Projects team as we continue to expand and strengthen our Energy and Banking & Finance teams nationally, each being key focus areas for the Firm globally. Miles provides a particular focus and expertise in infrastructure and power projects. From renewable power plants, transmission assets, social and transport PPPs, infrastructure privatisations and secondary market acquisitions, Miles regularly acts for sponsors, arrangers and financiers."

The Firm also hired in October a new Energy partner, Sarah Birrell in Melbourne (previously at Allens).

Anne-Marie further commented: "Miles has a broad commercial back ground with time spent inhouse and via secondments to AustralianSuper and Transurban. He also comes with significant international experience, having worked in HSFK's New York office."

The Firm has also expanded its Tax team with the appointment in November of Victoria Lanyon in Sydney (from King & Wood Mallesons) following the return in February of Dixon Header as a Tax partner in Sydney, having spent time in the role of Senior Director of Tax at Expedia Gorup. The Firm internally promoted Transactional lawyer, John Coleman to the partnership in July (in Sydney).
Significant matters Miles has acted on:

• Marinus LInk Pty Limited on its A$3.8 billion project financing of Stage One of the Marinus Link interconnector project, an 750MW electricity link between Victoria and Tasmania.
• The syndicate of international lenders on a AUD 750 million green portfolio financing for ACEN Australia's clean energy projects.
• HMC Capital on its portfolio financing for its acquisition of Neoen's Victorian renewable assets.
• Financiers on a portfolio financing for Community Housing Limited in relation to its Queensland Housing Investment Fund-backed projects.
• BBGI in its refinancing and restructure of the Northern Territory Secure Facilities PPP Project in Darwin.
• The financiers to the largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Australia, and the first PPP in the market to feature Alliance contracting principles; the AUD 11.1 billion North-East Link PPP in Victoria.
• Lenders to Waveconn, an OMERS portfolio company in its acquisition of the TPG towers business and several subsequent acquisitions.
• Renewables project financings and refinancings such as Wattle Point Wind Farm, Bald Hills Wind Farm, Ararat Wind Farm, Oakey & Longreach Solar Farms, Metz Solar Farm, Mt Mercer Wind Farm, Mt Millar Wind Farm, Biala Wind Farm, Waipipi Wind Farm, and Dundonnell Wind Farm.