Hugo Thistlewood

Partner

Head of Financial Services Sector, Australia

Emailhugo.thistlewood@akd.partners

Call+61 414 947 492

Sydney

About

Hugo values personal connections with clients, nurturing trust and respect. Open communication and shared values are the foundation of his client relationships, ensuring they have full confidence in his expertise.

Hugo is a dedicated Partner at AKD Partners, specialising in Debt Finance. He is well-known for expertise in corporate debt finance, including real estate finance and notably, surety bonds. Hugo's clients include major financial institutions in Australia, foreign lenders, the non-bank sector, listed and private corporates and advisory firms. His clients turn to him for his deep knowledge and ability to provide clear and helpful advice in these areas.

Disciplined, hardworking, and commercially astute, Hugo possesses a high threshold for consuming intricate information and excels in strategic negotiation.

He maintains a global perspective, which is a crucial aspect of his work given that many of his transactions involve international collaboration. He actively engages in local corporate initiatives, fostering a sense of community and well-being.

Areas of FocusEnergy and Natural Resources Financial Services Healthcare Insurance Finance Real Estate Restructuring

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, 2001

EXPERIENCE

Acting for an off-shore debt fund on the construction financing of the redevelopment of retail and hospitality precinct known as 'Howard Smith Wharves' under the Storey Bridge, Brisbane.
Acting for an Australian listed large-cap corporate on various finance transactions, including the implementation of its principal debt facilities of ~>AU$1.3 billion and the refinancing of its AU$700 million syndicated facility, together with various bilateral facilities for the group in relation to its operations locally and in the United States, Chile, New Zealand and Canada.
Acting for a large, privately owned drilling company operating internationally throughout Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Africa and Northern America, on their secured international structured facilities.
Acting for an international club of 10 financial institutions on the negotiation and structuring of a circa AU$1.2 billion multi-currency cross-border bonding and fronted bank guarantee facility for a large tier one Australian construction company.
Advising two international financial institutions (one based domestically and the other based off-shore) on their participation and exposure in a secured clubbed facility in respect of the Forge Construction Group, including advising on intercreditor arrangements and assisting with recovery and receivership issues.
Acting for a debt fund on the provision of additional emergency funding, restructure terms and intercreditor arrangements in respect of a distressed international litigation funder.
Acting for one of the world s leading investment firms on its successful tender for the acquisition (via purchase of distressed syndicated debt) of the Top Ryde shopping centre in Sydney, New South Wales.
Acting for a bank group (comprising domestic and off-shore based banks) on a club facility for the ~AU$200 million financing of a private group secured against a portfolio of 25+ commercial real estate assets located throughout the Australian eastern seaboard.