Overview
Francis is a counsel in the Belgian Corporate and Finance Group.
His practice mainly includes banking and debt capital markets (including bank and insurance regulatory capital), but also real estate finance, projects and regulatory matters. He has experience in all aspects of financial law, with a particular focus on and expertise in general corporate lending, acquisition/leveraged finance and debt capital market transactions. In this context, Francis regularly works with financial institutions, listed and unlisted corporates and private equity firms.
Work highlights
Francis has advised on a wide range of major finance transactions. Francis’ recent transactions include advising:
- Shurgard Self Storage on the (bridge) financing arrangements in connection with its EUR 575m initial offering to institutional investors and subsequent listing of the shares of the Luxembourg parent on Euronext Brussels.
- Ravago in connection with its EUR 1.650bn term and multi-currency borrowing base revolving credit facilities agreement.
- JP Morgan and ING in connection with a EUR 350m bridge facilities agreement for Aedifica SA, a Belgian regulated real estate company listed on Euronext Brussels, to finance the acquisition of 93 healthcare properties in the United Kingdom from Lone Star.
- Umicore in connection with its US Private Placements of notes in an aggregate amount of EUR 750m and Schuldschein loan agreements in an aggregate amount of EUR 330m.
- Kinepolis Group on various private placements of euro-denominated bonds and its bank financing arrangements.
- Belfius Bank NV, ING Belgium NV/SA and NIBC Bank N.V. as original lenders on a EUR 70m leveraged facilities agreement for Alter Pharma Group.
- AKKA Technologies SE on its EUR 300m revolving facility agreement.
- Ageas on its benchmark issue of EUR 500m Solvency II Tier2-compliant subordinated fixed to floating rate notes due July 2049.
Professional experience
Francis has been a Counsel in the Corporate and Finance Group since 2022.
He joined Linklaters in 2012. In 2017 he was seconded to the Linklaters finance group in New York.
Education and qualifications
Francis holds a master’s degree in Law from the University of Ghent and an LL.M. in Corporate Law from the University of New York.
He speaks Dutch, English and French.
