Heros Leask

Heros advises on corporate finance and fintech digital asset regulation, guiding clients through complex financial transactions and regulatory frameworks.

• Advised AngloGold Ashanti Holdings in relation to a US$800 million refinancing of a revolving credit facility.
• Advised Barclays Capital in relation to a US$750 million refinancing of a general purpose secured facility.
• Advised Lombard Finance in relation to a £80 million general purpose loan.
• Advised RBS in relation to a £42 million real estate refinancing.
• Advised Santander in relation to £200 million (multiple loans) in real estate financing.
• Advised a Dubai-based client on its US$30 million Sukuk issuance (Istisna) through Cayman Islands using a limited recourse structure to finance its expansion in UAE.

Heros supports clients in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and start-up or scale-up transactions, advising on procurement, outsourcing, and corporate growth initiatives.

• Advised HUB Capital in relation to its £25 million structured private share acquisition of 100% of an English company.
• Advised Ingenico in relation to its US$100 million structured private share acquisition of a target group in the online payments sector.
• Advised KOP Properties client in relation to its corporate due diligence review of two Isle of Man subsidiaries as part of its pre-listing audit in Singapore.
• Advised Royal Jordanian in relation to its US$232 million initial public offering on the Amman Stock Exchange.
• Advised AXA in relation to its US$50 million private share acquisition of 100% of a Thai general insurer.
• Advised AXA in relation to its US$20 million, 16% minority buy-out of its Malaysian joint venture.
• Advised Bombardier in relation to Middle East companies law regimes (KSA, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain) and related joint venture considerations.
• Advised Arabian Cement Company in relation to its US$25 million initial public offering on the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange.
• Advised Asahi Tec in relation to its proposed minority share in a US$30 million industrial joint venture in Bahrain.
• Advised a Bahrain government authority in relation to its proposed minority share in a US$60 million liquefied natural gas joint venture.
• Advised BP-Castrol in relation to its proposed US$30 million Saudi joint venture.
• Advised BP-Castrol in relation to its entry into a Myanmar contractual joint venture through its Thai joint venture.
• Advised Michelin in relation to its US$150 million, private share acquisition of 100% of a target group in the telematics and geo-location sector.
• Advised Olam Group (the majority shareholder) in relation to its US$300 million, 49% minority buy-out.
• Advised First Gulf Bank in relation to its US$165 million private share acquisition of 100% of the shares in Dubai First (a retail credit company).
• Advised McDonald’s Corporation in relation to corporate reorganization and joint venture matters in Bahrain.
• Advised McDonald’s Corporation in relation to its Middle East agency agreements.

Heros advises on investment fund structures and operations, assisting clients with fund formation, regulatory compliance, and strategic management.

• Advised Premier Diversified Property Fund in relation to the restructuring of an Isle of Man registered fund.
• Advised Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector in relation to establishing a US$80 million Labuan registered renewable energy fund.
• Advised Islamic Development Bank in relation to its establishing a Bahrain regulated investment fund.
• Advised an Indonesian private equity client in the establishment of a Cayman fund.
• Advised an Indonesian private equity client in the establishment of BVI corporate JVs for small cap Indonesian PE. Drafted two shareholders’ agreements and articles of association for two fund vehicles.

Heros advises on franchising and IP licensing, helping businesses protect, manage, and monetise their intellectual property assets and comply with contractual and regulatory obligations.

• Advised an Abu Dhabi public-sector client on a complex copyright dispute with a service provider.
• Advised an Abu Dhabi public-sector client on a global trademark registration project.
• Advised Moove on an intellectual property licensing agreement.
• Advised Moove on a global trademark registration and valuable intellectual property protection exercise.
• Advised various clients on intellectual property governance, protection and exploitation.

Heros guides tech-focused start-ups and scale-ups, providing support on corporate, commercial, and strategic matters to drive innovation, growth, and market expansion.

• Advised Ooredoo on its radio access network and data centre equipment procurement during its 3G launch in Myanmar.
• Advised a well-established fintech on digital banking and e-money services regulation in Dubai International Financial Centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market and onshore UAE.
• Advised a start-up client on e-money services regulation in Dubai International Financial Centre.
• Advised a start-up client in the online education space in relation to its corporate structure and regulation affecting its services.
• Advised the founders of Beytii.com (one of Dubai’s earliest residential lettings websites) on licensing and regulatory matters.
• Advised an Abu Dhabi public-sector client in various ArtTech project partnerships with concept creators and a Korean technology conglomerate.
• Advised Vodafone on regulations affecting its handset insurance product.
• Advised Ingenico in relation to its US$100 million structured private share acquisition of a target group in the online payments sector.
• Advised Michelin in relation to its US$150 million, private share acquisition of 100% of a target group in the telematics and geo-location sector.
• Advised AXA in relation to Middle East data protection regulation and compliance.

Heros provides corporate advisory and governance support across the Middle East, including commercial real estate and asset finance, assisting clients with cross-border transactions and regulatory compliance in complex markets.

• Advised Royal Jordanian in relation to its US$232 million initial public offering on the Amman Stock Exchange.
• Advised First Gulf Bank in relation to its US$165 million private share acquisition of 100% of the shares in Dubai First.
• Advised a Bahrain government authority in relation to its proposed minority share in a US$60 million liquefied natural gas joint venture.
• Advised Asahi Tec in relation to its proposed minority share in a US$30 million industrial joint venture in Bahrain.
• Advised Arabian Cement Company in relation to its US$25 million initial public offering on the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange.
• Advised McDonald’s Corporation in relation to corporate reorganisation and joint venture matters in Bahrain.
• Advised Islamic Development Bank in relation to its establishing a Bahrain regulated investment fund.
• Advised AXA in relation to Middle East data protection regulation and compliance.
• Advised Bombardier in relation to Middle East companies law regimes (KSA, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain) and related joint venture considerations.

Winner of Islamic Structured Finance Deal of the Year 2023 – Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards