Stephen Kensell is the former Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ London office and former Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Banking Practice. He is one of the market’s foremost banking practitioners, with more than 20 years’ experience advising top financial institutions on a broad range of complex financing matters.

Stephen has an outstanding reputation as one of the leading creditor-side lawyers in the London bank finance market. He has vast experience advising clients on a variety of event-driven financings, with particular expertise in leveraged, investment grade M&A, and IPO-related finance.

Over the years, his work on many international and landmark transactions has placed him at the forefront of developments in the banking community.

Stephen’s representative transactions have included advising:

  • The arrangers on the pre-IPO financing for Ahlsell AB, a Swedish industrial wholesaler
  • The arrangers on the financing for the acquisition of Norte Energía Distribución, a Spanish natural-gas distribution company, by a consortium of investors led by Covalis
  • The arrangers on the financing for the acquisition of Accelya, a provider of outsourcing services for the airline industry, by Warburg Pincus
  • The arrangers on the financing for the acquisition of the Avaloq Group, a developer of banking software, by Warburg Pincus
  • The arrangers on the financing for the acquisition of Etraveli by CVC Capital Partners, and the subsequent acquisition of e-Travel by Etraveli
  • The arrangers on the financing for the public to private acquisition of Stada Arzneimittel AG, a German pharmaceutical company, by Bain Capital LLC and Cinven Partners LLP
  • The arrangers on the financing for Bain Capital’s acquisition of the UK divisions of human resources software company NGA HR
  • The arrangers on the financing for Partners Group's acquisition of Civica Group, a UK software company
  • The arrangers on the financing of Unibail-Rodamco’s successful offer for Westfield Corporation
  • The arrangers on the financing for Drax Group plc’s acquisition of Opus Energy, a UK gas and electric supplier, and for the subsequent refinancing of Drax Group plc
  • The arrangers on the financing for Cineworld’s acquisition of Regal Entertainment, which would create the world's second biggest cinema company
  • The arrangers on the financing for KKR’s acquisition of Gruppo Argenta, an Italian vending and coffee service provider and its combination with Selecta and the refinancing of the combined business
  • The arrangers on the refinancing of Eir Limited, an Irish telecommunications company
  • The arrangers on the refinancing of Wind Tre S.p.A., an Italian telecommunications company
  • The arrangers on the refinancing of Bakkavor Group Limited, an international food manufacturer
  • The arrangers on the financing of the take private of VTG AG
  • The arrangers on the financing of the take private of Amer Sports
  • The arrangers on the financing of CVC’s take private of Ahlsell AB
  • The arrangers on the financing of the acquisition by Messer Industries of North America assets from Linde and Praxair
  • The arrangers of senior loan and term loan B facilities of over €2 billion to fund CVC’s acquisition of Douglas Holding AG*
  • The arrangers of the first and second lien loan facilities in support of the acquisition by CVC of Linxens*
  • The arrangers of term loans and a revolving credit facility in connection with the financing of Siemens Audiology Solutions, a landmark European covenant-lite loan financing*
  • The arrangers and underwriters on the financing of CVC’s acquisition of ista International GmbH*
  • Manchester United FC on its inaugural high yield bond issuance of £500 million (equivalent) senior secured high yield bond*
  • Representing the banks on various financings for Heathrow Airport*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham

Bar Qualification

  • England and Wales (Solicitor)

Education

  • BA, Macquarie University, Sydney
  • LL.B, Macquarie University, Sydney

Languages Spoken

  • English

Practices