Pinsent Masons hires finance partner in Beijing

Kanyi has 15 years' experience in the firm's core global sectors, having advised major Chinese financial institutions and borrowers on the structuring, development and financing of domestic and outbound energy, natural resource and infrastructure projects. Kanyi has worked closely with all of China's largest banks, as well as multilateral development banks, and regularly represents project sponsors and sovereign borrowers seeking to access Chinese financing. He has acted on a number of ground-breaking matters including in the first offshore revolving renminbi facility, which is considered to be one of the most innovative financing transactions in Asia Pacific.

Kanyi joins from Jones Day and, in addition to Beijing, he has worked in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

Sam Boyling, Partner and Joint Head of China said, "At a time when China's relationships and investment in the rest of the world are changing rapidly, we help both private and public sector participants overcome challenges on some of the world's biggest projects and transactions. Kanyi brings significant experience and understanding of the region's largest financial institutions and will be a partner who is able to connect our financial services, infrastructure and energy sectors, expanding our pan-Asia offering."

Kanyi will continue to work closely with lenders and sponsors to bring projects to successful completion in some of the most challenging jurisdictions, devising innovative and practical solutions to complex legal problems.

Michael Watson, Partner and Head of Finance and Projects at Pinsent Masons said, "Chinese banks and financial institutions are extremely active in investing both regionally and globally, with outbound investment particularly focusing on the infrastructure and energy markets. Kanyi will help develop our full service offerings to clients advising around the full life cycle of market opportunities, specifically on innovative financing transactions, restructurings and investment opportunities. All of the clients Kanyi supports operate globally and our integrated global firm and team will be a perfect fit."

Pinsent Masons has been operating in China since 1983, and currently has three offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Recent highlights in China include advising the Borrower on the expansion financing for the Thar Block II coal mine in Pakistan to support an expansion of the project from 3.8 million tonnes p.a. to 7.6 million tonnes p.a.; advising the Chinese shareholder on relevant aspects of a USD$2.9 billion multi-sourced financing in relation to the Hassyan coal-fired power generation equity investment; and advising Sinohydro on the expansion of the Hwange thermal power station in Zimbabwe which was named “Deal of the Year - Belt & Road" by China Business Law Journal.