Andrew Blacoe
An energy projects and M&A specialist, Andrew leads the firm's market-leading Corporate practice in Asia and is the Managing Partner of the Herbert Smith Freehills Tokyo office.
Andrew has extensive experience advising Japanese clients on complex international cross-border transactions in the energy, power, metals and minerals, oil and gas, and LNG sectors, having first moved to Japan in 2005.
He works with sponsors and financiers on mergers and acquisitions, international joint ventures, and project financings around the world, including in Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Southeast Asia.
In recent years, his practice has evolved to support energy majors and investors as they transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Andrew has close working relationships with many of the firm's key Japanese clients. He spent two years on secondment to a major Japanese trading corporation in Tokyo, advising on global power and mining transactions.
He has been ranked by Asia Pacific Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Projects and Energy in Japan since 2016. In its latest edition, he received praise from clients as 'very easy to work with, always available and provides practical advice' and 'has significant experience handling global investments and projects for Asia-based clients.'
Background
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Durham, Andrew joined the firm in 2005. He has been based in Asia-Pacific for over 18 years and is one of the few partners to have worked in both of our legacy firms in London, Tokyo and Sydney.
Andrew has led the firm's Energy, Infrastructure and Mining team in Tokyo since 2013, following his promotion to partner in 2012.
He is licensed to advise in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi, and is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- Marubeni Corporation on a joint venture with energy major bp to develop selected offshore wind opportunities in Japan
- Mitsui & Co., Ltd. on its agreement with Aker Horizons ASA to acquire a 27.5% equity stake in Aker's subsidiary Mainstream Renewable Power for €575 million
- Mitsubishi Corporation on its agreement with Anglo American to acquire a 21.9% equity interest in Anglo American Quellaveco SA, which owns the Quellaveco copper project in Peru
- POSCO, Marubeni Corporation and STX on their acquisition of a 30% interest in, and the subsequent projected financing of, the Roy Hill Iron Ore Project, located in Western Australia
- Sumitomo Metals Mining on its divestment of a minority interest in PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, one of Indonesia’s largest nickel mining companies with integrated nickel processing facility, to MIND-ID (the Indonesian state-owned mining company)
- MM Capital Partners (a Marubeni-backed fund) on its acquisition of Marguerite's 29.06% interest in JSC Conexus Baltic Grid, the operator of the monopoly regulated gas transmission and storage system in Latvia from the Marguerite Fund
Sectors
