WFW advises Investec on 12 helicopter refinancing deal

Law firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised Investec Bank on financing 10 Airbus H135 and two Leonardo AW109 helicopters for RIVE Private Investment. The aircraft are providing emergency medical services in France and Spain.

Alexia Russell. partner with the WFW Aviation Finance team that advised Investec, said: “We are delighted to have advised Investec, a long-standing client of the firm, on this important new transaction. We believe this instruction once again reflects the unrivalled experience and expertise our global aviation practice offers.”

Russell was assisted by London associate Parit Patani and Paris associate Caitlin Jenkins on English law matters and Paris senior associate Hugues Hounkpati and associate Jihanne Flegeau-Kihal on the French law aspects of the transaction.

Madrid partner Alfredo Cabellos and senior associate Daniel Refoyo Dominguez provided Spanish law advice. Leading on matters of New York law were New York partner Susanne Burstein, senior associate Julia Sim and law clerk Susanne Kirkeby Eieland.

Matheson acted as joint Irish counsel to Investec and RIVE while Odi-sé Avocats. advised RIVE.

Meanwhile, the aircraft are designed to provide helicopter emergency medical support (HEMs) cover by responding within the critical ‘golden hour’ for trauma and emergency care.

Speaking earlier this month, John Shaw, aviation finance associate at Investec said: “This collaboration supports our strategy to grow our helicopter financing portfolio. By investing in this important segment of emergency services, we also contribute to the well-being and safety of communities.”