Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and CMS Cameron McKenna reprised their advisory roles as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) made a £1.1bn extension to the largest accommodation private finance initiative project it has undertaken.
In November the MoD amended its long-running Project Allenby/Connaught contract to include an army basing programme, which will provide new accommodation and improve facilities for soldiers. Negotiations have ensured the original transaction, which had a value of £8bn and was signed in 2006, will continue without disruption.
Freshfields advised long-time client the MoD, while Camerons represented Aspire Defence, the special vehicle set up for the project. Pinsent Masons is acting for the joint venture between Carillion and KBR, which was awarded the construction and facilities management contract for the army barracks.
Freshfields’ team was led by London head of infrastructure and energy Alex Carver, who took over as one of two relationship partners for the MoD, alongside the co-head of the firm’s public sector group Sally Roe, following veteran partner Nick Bliss’s retirement in April.
‘These projects have a reputation for being difficult to vary, but this is proof it can be done.’
Alex Carver, Freshfields
Carver said: ‘These projects have a reputation for being difficult to vary, but this is proof it can be done. The original project was signed in 2006; we were heavily involved in that and this is a major variation of that project. We’ve been working on it for at least a year.’
Camerons fielded a team led by infrastructure and projects partners Robert Gray and Jonathan Dames. The firm has been acting for Aspire since the project started. Gray told Legal Business: ‘This was a really important deal for the MoD and the army, and a great addition to what has been a very successful project over ten years.’
Pinsents’ team was led by projects specialist Jonathan Hart. The firm was re-appointed to Carillion’s panel in 2015, with a mandate expected to last until December 2017.
madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk