John W Ffooks & Co is led by a sole principal with almost 20 years of experience. He can advise on everything from broad strategy to detailed transactions. Our system of client care means there is always a second opinion available.
John Ffooks
John graduated from the University of Cambridge in the UK and is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He qualified with the leading international firm Clifford Chance and was an Associate at major US firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (now Dewey LeBoeuf). As a lawyer, he has particular experience in infrastructure, utility and natural resource investments in the developing world and the financial structures associated with them. John has lived in Madagascar for almost ten years. Prior to working in Madagascar, John held a variety of leadership positions in London’s legal community.
John is also familiar with the specific legal and business cultures of Francophone Africa. He has extensive experience of French-based legal systems as well as the ability to communicate any issues arising simply and clearly to English speaking clients. John speaks and writes fluent French.
He has handled finance transactions in excess of US$4.5bn in relation to mining and infrastructure projects, with all the requisite due diligence such complex transactions require.
John also acts for exchange listed companies in London, Toronto, New York and Australia and has considerable experience helping take companies to market. He has also been involved in acquisitions and disposals of assets in natural resources and telecommunications fields.
Previous highlights include advising the Ambatovy Nickel Project on its US$4.5bn nickel/cobalt mining and processing project which recently reached financial close on US$2.2bn of debt finance. John has advised on three AIM listings, a major asset-disposal programme for an Australian investor, a US$18m project finance transaction and a €20m secured vendor financing in the telecommunications sector. John has also extensively advised banks and finance houses on procedural and regulatory aspects of transactions in Madagascar.
Before coming to Madagascar in 2001, John was the sole advisor on English law to a South African investment bank on its infrastructure portfolio in the sub-Saharan region. These included the US$2bn Mozal Aluminium Smelter and the Maputo Port privatisation.