Matt has over a decade of experience advising banks, financial institutions and private credit funds, with an emphasis on private equity and corporate driven leveraged finance.

Based in our Singapore office since 2015, Matt has advised on some of the largest and most complex leveraged financing transactions in the region, and has built a reputation among market participants as one of the Asia-Pacific’s leading lender-side leveraged finance lawyers.

Matt’s practice also covers a broad base of other structured finance transactions, including NAV and subscription-line financing, margin financing, project financing and investment grade lending, typically involving multiple jurisdictions.

Known for his technical ability, commercial awareness and in-depth understanding of the jurisdictions in which his clients operate, Matt is considered to be a trusted legal advisor to some of the most influential financial institutions across South and South-East Asia.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners on the debt financing for the Adani Group’s US$10.5 billion acquisition of Ambuja Cements Limited (NSE: AMBUJACEM) and ACC Limited (NSE: ACC) in India. This is India’s largest ever M&A transaction in the infrastructure and materials space, and has been recognized by numerous publications, including as Deal of the Year, India in the India Business Law Journal, and Loan Deal of the Year by IFLR.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to financing the acquisition by PT Asianet Media Teknologi (a portfolio company of I Squared Capital) of a fibre optic network in Indonesia from PT MNC Kabel Mediacom.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to the debt financing for Advent International’s acquisition of Suven Pharmaceuticals (NSE: SUVENPHAR), a leading Indian listed pharmaceuticals company.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the debt financing for Blackstone’s US$570 million acquisition of International Gemological Institute in India, a global leader in the independent certification of diamonds.
  • A global financial institution in relation to the debt financing for Frontier Tower Associates’ (a portfolio company of KKR) acquisition of 3,539 telecom towers from Globe Telecom in the Philippines. This was a landmark transaction for private equity backed infrastructure acquisitions in the Philippines, and was recognized as Debt Market Deal of the Year by ALB Philippines, 2023.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the debt financing for KKR’s US$460 million acquisition of a controlling stake in J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (NSE: JBCHEPHARM) in India. This transaction was one of the largest control deals in Asia at the time, and was awarded Private Equity Deal of the Year by IFLR, 2021.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the debt financing for Baring Private Equity Asia’s (now EQT) US$1.2 billion acquisition of Hinduja Global Solutions Limited’s healthcare services business (now Sagility), covering business process management operations in India, the Philippines, the US and Jamaica.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to the bridge financing arrangements for San Miguel Corporation’s US$1.6 billion acquisition of Eagle Cement in the Philippines.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the debt financing for Gulf Energy Development’s US$5.4 billion public leveraged buyout of Intouch Holdings. This was the largest leveraged buyout in Asia for 2021, and was the second largest leveraged buyout ever done in Thailand.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the financing for the US1$ billion acquisition by Baring Private Equity Asia (now EQT) of CitiusTech Healthcare Technology Private Limited in India, a provider of consulting and digital technology to healthcare and life sciences companies.
  • A private credit fund in relation to a unitranche facility to finance the US$250m strategic growth investment by TA Associates in Zifo Technologies in India, a leading provider of scientific informatics services.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to a US$400m subscription line and NAV facility for a private equity fund. This transaction involved the combination of subscription line and NAV financing elements, and involved seven separate fund verticals spanning multiple jurisdictions, each of which had additional feeder fund and AIV structures.
  • The arrangers and global coordinators in relation to a bridge to bond facility, to finance the SG$3.2 billion acquisition of Aviva, Ltd in Singapore by a consortium comprising TPG, certain existing shareholders of Singapore Life Pte. Ltd. (Singlife) and Aviva Plc. This transaction represents one of the few bridge to bond transactions successfully used in Asia to finance a leveraged acquisition.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to the debt financing for Investcorp’s acquisition of a majority stake in Viz Branz, a leading manufacturer and distributor of instant cereal and beverage brands across China and South-East Asia.
  • A global financial institution in relation to the debt financing for TPG’s acquisition of a minority stake in The CrownX in Vietnam.
  • A global financial institution in relation to the financing of Baring Private Equity Asia’s (now EQT) acquisition of a minority stake in The CrownX in Vietnam.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to the debt financing for KKR’s acquisition of EuroKids International (now Lighthouse Learning), a company which operates preschools and primary schools in India.
  • The mandated lead arrangers in relation to the debt financing for Advent International’s acquisition of Manjushree Technopack, an Indian packaging solutions company. This transaction was among the first control deals in India with traditional European leveraged finance terms.
  • The mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to a US$2.15 billion acquisition facility for San Miguel Corporation’s acquisition of Holcim Philippines Inc. This transaction was named Finance Deal of the Year by ALB Philippines, 2019.
  • The lenders in relation to several a margin financings for leading private equity funds, secured against Indian listed shares.

Recognition

Matt Del Rosso is a standout counsel given his ability to navigate the complexity
Legal 500, 2024
Influential…especially in acquisition finance, leveraged finance and private credit transactions
Legal 500, 2023

Awards

  • Rising Star Lawyer of the Year 2024, IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards

Qualifications

Admissions

England & Wales, 2024

Western Australia, 2013

Academic

LLB (Distinction), The University of Western Australia, 2012

BSc, Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, 2012

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, The Australian National University, 2013

Languages

English
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.