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Harry Upcott

Partner

Harry specialises in structured and asset finance in the transportation sector.

He advises arrangers, equity investors, financiers, hedge funds, leasing companies, private equity and operators on aircraft, maritime, rolling stock, satellite and other asset-based and receivables-backed transactions (and related restructurings and repackagings). His practice covers structured finance and leasing, export credit transactions, portfolio (including ‘metal’ assets, loan portfolios and platforms) trading and financings, secondary debt trading, repossessions and restructurings, M&A in the transportation sector, tax-based debt and leasing structures and deals involving the capital markets.

Harry is recognised as a leading individual in the recognised legal directories, receiving the following recognition: ‘Harry is a brilliant lawyer’, ‘very impressive’, a lawyer who ‘provides a good balance between legal knowledge and business sense’ and ‘not afraid to roll his sleeves up’.

Experience

Representative matters

The Issuer on an aviation loan asset-backed securitization (ABS). The USD324.3m ABS is backed by a static pool of loan facilities secured by 19 narrowbody aircraft, 3 widebody aircraft and 4 narrowbody host aircraft engines on lease to 12 lessees located in 11 jurisdictions. Structured Finance Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2024.

AviLease on its USD3.6bn acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank’s global aviation leasing business, Pembroke Capital, including the associated USD2.1bn acquisition financing debt facility. M&A Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2023.

PK AirFinance as arranger of a super senior post-bankruptcy facility for Nordic Aviation Capital.

The issuer on an aircraft loan securitization, ‘SALT 2021-1’. SALT 2021-1 Trust issued a total of US$893,477,000 of notes backed by loans secured by 156 aircraft operated by 45 airline operators located in 29 jurisdictions. Americas Capital Markets Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2022.

An alternative investment firm and an investment management and advisory firm on the formation of a JV aviation platform and the acquisition of a US$1.1 billion performing aircraft loan portfolio from National Australia Bank. The portfolio comprised of 27 loan facilities secured by 159 aircraft, with a collateral valuation of US$1.4bn. Asia-Pacific M&A Deal of the Year, Airline Economics 2022

 

 

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1999

Academic

BSc (Hons), Politics and Social Policy, University of Bristol

LPC, The College Of Law, Guildford

Post Graduate Diploma, Law, The College Of Law, Guildford

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.