Image of Robert Simmons

Robert Simmons

Senior Associate

Email

robert.simmons@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 4382

Offices

London

V-CARD
Robert advises sell-side, buy-side and supranational clients across a broad range of structured finance products.
He specializes in synthetic securitization, credit derivatives and OTC hedging products.

Robert has been the lead adviser on a number of the most complex and innovative significant risk transfer deals in the European market, combining cutting-edge regulatory insight with a practical approach to problem-solving. He has also advised leading US asset managers on their entry into the credit risk transfer space.

Robert is a regular speaker at industry conferences and has contributed to a number of responses to regulatory consultations, including for AFME and IACPM.

Experience

Representative matters

  • A major US investment bank on a series of capital relief transactions in a variety of formats, including funded credit default swaps and credit-linked notes, working with the bank’s capital team to give effect to the desired contractual position within their fast-changing regulatory framework.
  • A European buy-now-pay-later lender as originator of a series of innovative SRT deals, each compliant with the EU STS criteria for on-balance sheet securitizations. The deals have featured both a debut issuer and a new consumer asset class with unique payment features.
  • The investor in a first-of-its-kind balance sheet securitization over a EUR 1.1bn portfolio of infrastructure and renewable energy loans relating to projects located in Spain, France, UK, Portugal and Germany. The transaction featured in leading industry publications for showcasing how synthetic technology can unlock ESG investment opportunities for investors.
  • A global insurer on a novel repack structure with an SRT note as the underlying. The structure enabled financing and credit risks to be apportioned between the different stakeholders. The repack vehicle’s notes were successfully rated by a leading credit rating agency based on the credit rating of the insurer, a market first.

Published Work

  • Financial Markets Law Committee Report, “The words “similar contracts of guarantee” in the definition of “a contract of insurance” in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001” (August 2022).

Speaking Engagements

 

  • Guest speaker, IMN Significant Risk Transfer Symposium, London 2024
     
  • Guest speaker, SCI Capital Relief Trades Seminar, London 2023
 

Qualifications

Admissions

Solicitor, England & Wales, 2013

Academic

LLB (First Class), Law, University of Law, 2010

BA Hons (First Class), Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Oxford University, 2008

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.