Clifford Chance
Reuben van Werkum is an experienced senior corporate lawyer, qualified in both Australia and New Zealand. He specialises in advising clients on M&A and investment transactions with a particular focus on private equity and energy/infrastructure projects. Reuben regularly advises both domestic clients and offshore investors undertaking in-bound investment in Australia.
Reuben's specialist skillset extends to equity capital markets and public M&A transactions. He has represented clients on large IPO transactions and secondary capital raising processes. Reuben has broad corporate advisory experience, which includes: capital restructures, shareholder/JV arrangements, foreign investment approvals, listed company advisory work, funds establishment, and co-investment/equity consortium participation (including in PPP transactions).
- Private Equity M&A
- Blackstone on its US$1.9 billion acquisition of the CRH Europe building material distribution business
- The Carlyle Group on its A$1 billion acquisition of Accolade Wines from CHAMP Private Equity and Constellation Brands and multiple follow-on acquisitions of winery/vineyard businesses in Australia
- TPG Capital on its RM 540 million acquisition of the Paramount/ R.E.A.L. education business portfolio in Malaysia
- Swissport International Inc (HNA Group) on its A$500 million - A$1 billion acquisition of the Aerocare flight services business from Archer Capital
- Partners Group on its circa A$500m acquisition of the Guardian Early Learning Group childcare business
- Energy/Infrastructure
- Partners Group on the establishment of its $700 million Grassroots Renewable Energy Platform and its seed investment in the Crudine Ridge Wind Farm.
- Large global infrastructure manager (confidential) on its US$250m acquisition of Taiwanese renewable energy development business
- Cbus (Superannuation Fund) on the establishment of the ‘Bright Energy Investments’ portfolio with DIF and co-investment in the Synergy renewables portfolio in Western Australia.
- Photon Energy on the structuring, establishment and acquisition of a 1.14 GW portfolio of solar PV projects across five sites in NSW and sale to Canadian Solar.
- Partners Group Infrastructure on:
- sale of Japan Solar assets to GIP as part of the $5.5 billion sale of the Equis Energy renewables portfolio.
- majority investment in the $450m Ararat Wind farm (240MW) in Victoria
- acquisition of the $650 million Murra Warra Wind Farm project in Victoria and acquisition of Sapphire Wind Farm (270MW) in NSW
- Public Markets and IPO
- Plenti Group Limited (formerly ‘RateSetter’), a leading consumer credit and peer-to-peer lending business on its A$283 million IPO.
- Mantra Group on its $1.2 billion takeover by Accor Hotels by scheme of arrangement
- PVH Corp. (Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands) on its $268 million acquisition of ASX-listed Gazal Corporation by scheme of arrangement
- ProTen Limited on its $371 million takeover by First State Super by scheme of arrangement
- Mantra Group (one of Australasia's leading hotel groups) on its A$449 million IPO, significant secondary capital raisings (placement and rights issue).
- Pacific Smiles Group on its A$200 million IPO and ongoing listing rules/corporate advice
- Fonterra Co-operative Group on its ‘Trading Among Farmers’ capital restructure program, including the establishment of the Farmers Shareholders' Market.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Sydney
- +61289228054 +61488300201
- Email me
- Practice area M&A corporate
- Sector Private equity
Career and qualifications
- Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand 2010
- Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales 2013
- Joined Clifford Chance 2018
- Partner 2021
- Director, M&A 2024