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Image: Helena Potts

Helena Potts

Partner, Corporate Department

Overview

Helena Potts is a partner in the Financial Restructuring group at Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s London office.

Ms. Potts has represented the full spectrum of stakeholders in formal and informal restructurings and refinancings, with a particular emphasis on high-value complex cross-border matters across the full range of stressed and distressed situations, from insolvent liquidations to consensual restructurings and new money opportunities, with broad experience across all types of capital structures.

Ms. Potts’ experience spans diverse industry sectors, including automotive, financial services, retail and leisure, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

Recognitions

  • IFLR1000 UK, Named a "Notable Practitioner" for Restructuring and Insolvency
  • Legal 500 UK, Recommended for Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency

Education

  • Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, L.P.C.
  • University of Manchester, B.A.(Hons), 2002

Representations

  • The creditors committee in relation to the amendment and extension of the approximately €530 million debt facilities of the ARVOS Group, a manufacturer and supplier of industrial heat exchange solutions.
  • The banks in relation to the approximately €900 million in debt and equity restructuring of HEMA, the Dutch-headquartered retail chain and in relation to the subsequent equity sale of the group.
  • The Lenders in relation to the pre-pack sale of the Prezzo restaurant chain.
  • The creditors committee of Naviera Armas, a Spanish ferry business, in respect of its rescue financing and contingency planning.
  • The anchor investors in relation to the approximately €50 million new money financing and related €500 million restructuring of Dummen Orange, an international floriculture group.
  • The banks in relation to the leveraged and operational facilities in the approximately £450 million corporate and capital restructuring of the Travelex currency exchange business.
  • The revolving facility lenders in respect of the financial restructuring and refinancing of Matalan, a UK retailer, including both consensual and scheme of arrangement implementation mechanics across the capital structure.
  • Brita Romer Group, the UK-headquartered child seat, pushchair, and bike set manufacturer and distributor, in its approximately US$380 million in debt and equity restructuring affected by way of UCC Article 9.
  • Savannah Petroleum plc, in respect of its investment in, and acquisition of, the Seven Energy group and related bank and bond restructurings.
  • Young's Seafood Group in its business sale to Karro Food Group and the related restructuring and refinancing of its bank and bond debt.
  • Advising a bank in relation to the restructuring of its media content-backed borrowing base credit facility and the structuring of the borrowing group's new money and equity investment.
  • Advising an international production and distribution media company in relation to a title and exploitation dispute arising out of multiple insolvency sale processes in the production and licensing chain.
  • The facility and security agent in relation to the restructuring of the Prezzo Group.
  • The strategic bidder in the acquisition and restructuring of Scholz Group, a leading global recycling company.
  • The ad hoc committee of bank lenders in connection with the approximately US$1.2 billion financial restructuring of Mriya, a major Ukrainian agricultural business.
  • A fund in relation to the corporate and capital restructuring of a strategically-valuable investment manager.
  • An Icelandic bank regarding the repayment of secured debt and the sale of a portfolio of debt and equity assets.
  • The ABI Special Committee of Senior Noteholders in relation to the approximately £2.4 billion restructuring of the Punch Group, a publicly listed-pub group with a double securitisation structure.
  • A lifestyle company in relation to the restructuring of its European operations.
  • A global print-press manufacturer in relation to its financial, operational, and pension restructuring affected by CVA.
  • The mezzanine coordinating committee in relation to the £1.1 billion restructuring and scheme of arrangement of the Biffa Group, a UK waste management business.
  • An ad hoc committee of note holders in relation to the restructuring of approximately €1.3 billion of notes guaranteed by SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A., a publicly-listed Italian directories business.
  • The AfriSam consortium, a leading black-empowered construction materials group in southern Africa, in connection with its financial and equity capital restructuring of approximately €1.3 billion.
  • Various funds in relation to domestic and international investment restructuring opportunities and related contingency planning and strategic positioning.
  • Margin loan lenders in connection with realisation and enforcement strategies.

Matters may have been completed before joining Paul Hastings.

Practice Areas

Financial Restructuring

Corporate


Languages

Anglais


Admissions

England and Wales Solicitor


Education

Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, L.P.C. 2003