Image of Charles Poole-Warren

Charles Poole-Warren

Partner

Email

charles.poole-warren@aoshearman.com

Phone

+34 91 782 98 53

Offices

Madrid

V-CARD
Charles is an English law qualified finance lawyer, who has been active in the Iberian market for over 25 years.

His clients include financial institutions, corporates and funds, particularly those active in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Recently, he has been involved in energy transition and digitalisation, and has a keen interest in the sustainability agenda.

He advises clients on a range of products in the credit and capital markets, and he has led teams on a number of market-first and innovative transactions over his career. His practice focusses on Spain and Portugal, but he also advises Iberian clients in emerging markets.

Charles leads the firm’s Portuguese desk, working closely with others active in Portugal and other Lusophone speaking countries, including Brazil, Angola and Mozambique.

Experience

Representative matters

  • The arrangers in the financing of the acquisition of Windar Renovables by private equity fund Bridgepoint.
  • The managers on the issuance of Ferrovial’s debut EUR500M sustainability-linked bond.
  • The arrangers in the high yield bond financing of the acquisition of Amara NZero by private equity fund Cinven. This operation was the first European high-yield green bond issuance to finance a private equity acquisition.
  • The arrangers in the financing for Werfen in its acquisition of Immucor in the United States for EUR2bn.
  • The lenders, arranged by a global financial institution, in connection with the public offer over up of 25% of the shares in Spanish listed company Naturgy, launched by IFM Global Investors.
  • A multinational financial institution in connection with its Euro Medium Term Note Programme and the issue of various of its Additional Tier 1 Securities.
  • The dealers in connection with CaixaBank’s Euro Medium Term Note Programme, its Euro Commercial Paper Programme and the issue of various of its Additional Tier 1 Securities.
  • The dealers in connection with Banco Sabadell’s Euro Medium Term Note Programme and the issue of various of its Additional Tier 1 Securities.
  • A group of financial services companies in connection with financing for Opdenergy instrumented through the issuance of senior secured green bonds.
  • Spanish gas distribution company Redexis in connection with its financing arrangements via the issuance of senior eurobonds, revolving and term facilities and a facility with the European Investment Bank.
  • A group of commercial banks and institutional investors, arranged by a group of financial institutions, on the refinancing of the debt of Metro Ligero Oeste, a Madrid light rail concessionaire.
  • A group commercial banks and institutional investors, arranged by a group of financial institutions, in the refinancing of the debt of Barcelona Metro Line 9 Tranche 1.
  • The lenders and managers in connection with financing arrangement for Spanish listed company Amadeus via the issuance of senior Eurobonds and revolving and term facilities.
  • Spanish listed company, Enagas, in connection with its Euro Medium Term Note and Euro Commercial Paper Programmes.
  • ACS on the issue of its inaugural “green” bonds and subsequent tender offer for such bonds.
  • Venture capital entity in connection with its financing for the acquisition of Adamo Telecom.
  • Various financial institutions in connection with Iberdrola’s debt programmes and credit facilities.
  • Sacyr in connection with its CESCE backed financing for GUPC, operator of the Panama Canal.
  • The initial purchasers in connection with the project bond issued to fund ACS’s development of the Castor underground gas storage facility. This was the first project bond to benefit from the European Investment Bank’s PBCE (Project Bond Credit Enhancement) product.
  • The arrangers in the financing of the acquisition of Restaurant Brands Iberia (which operates the Iberian Burger King franchise) by private equity fund Cinven.
  • FCC Medio Ambiente as issuer of its inaugural green bond.
  • The arrangers and dealer managers in connection with the issue and tender offers for certain of Repsol’s hybrid securities.
  • A global financial institution in connection with various export credit agency backed financing for the Republic of Angola.
  • The lenders on the refinancing of the debt of Track 2 of the Line 9 of the Barcelona underground (held by ACS, Queenspoint, Equitix and Dalmore).
  • Mediterranean Shipping Company Terminal Valencia on the refinancing of its existing debt by way of a new facility agreement granted by Banco Santander, Caixabank, and Banco de Sabadell.
  • SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited and Ahorro Corporación Financiera in connection with the refinancing through a bond of the debt of Autovía del Arlanzón, owner of a Spanish motorway, whose shareholders are SACYR Concesiones, and Marguerite Silver B.V.
  • A multinational financial institution in its capacity as sole bookrunner in connection with the refinancing of the current project finance debt facilities for the Autopista del Sol, Concesionaria for the Ausol project in Spain.
  • A multinational financial institution on the €42M Project Bond issued by a financial vehicle of Elecnor Group to refinance its banking debt associated to certain photovoltaic projects.
  • Abertis Infraestructuras on the EUR1.15bn Bond Issuance due 20 May 2026 issued in May 2016. Abertis is the first national toll road operator in countries such Spain and Chile, and has a highlighted presence in France, Brazil and Puerto Rico.
  • A multinational financial institution (as arranger) in relation to Prosegur Compañía de Seguridad, EUR500M EMTN update.
  • A road construction company in its financial restructuring.
  • An investment bank on the renegotiation of a road project in Portugal including amendments to the concession contract to amend government payments and operating obligations and amendments to finance documents. The restructuring and renegotiation also includes addressing intercreditor aspects and negotiations with a downgraded monoline and bond holders.
  • An energy company in connection with the establishment of its MTN Programme.

Published Work

  • Poole-Warren, C. (2023). Spain. International Capital Markets, 13th ed.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Madrid Bar Association.
  • Law Society of England & Wales.

Recognition

“Charles Poole-Warren's deep knowledge and expertise of the market and the transaction itself, coupled with his full dedication and availability, have been instrumental for the success of a landmark and complex transaction.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“I think he is very good, and we love working with him. I believe he is an outstanding lawyer, who is also very accommodating, flexible and client-oriented in his approach.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as Solicitor of the Supreme Court, England and Wales, 1999

Academic

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (European Legal Studies), Durham University, United Kingdom, 1991-1995

Erasmus Scholarship, University of Rouen, France, 1993-1994

Languages

English, Spanish
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.