Ranked in Band 1 by Chambers, Christian is the pre-eminent authority on any aspect of English restructurings, provides clear and punchy advice and is top-notch in terms of leading restructuring partners. He manages complex restructuring situations with ease, and his straight-talking commercial astuteness stands him out.
Biography
Christian is head of the EMEA Financial Restructuring and Insolvency team based in London.
He has experience dealing with the full spectrum of creditors, debtors and insolvency practitioners, advising clients in respect of stressed and distressed investments, complex restructurings, liquidations and insolvent estates, and all other aspects of national and cross-border special situations. In addition, he has regularly advised directors of companies in financial difficulty, often with an international element. He has extensive experience working with overseas counsel and coordinating advice on cross-border restructuring and insolvency issues.
Ranked as a Leading Individual, Christian "is the outstanding leader in European restructuring, especially any with a UK implementation angle but more broadly an expert in cross-border restructuring dynamics." He is "extremely commercial and strategic and with unparalleled client service in all aspects."
Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency, The Legal 500, 2025
Experience
Adler Group
Representation of Adler Group, one of Germany's largest real estate groups, on its successive financial restructuring exercises. The initial financial restructuring involved an amendment to the terms and conditions of €3.2 billion of senior unsecured bonds through English restructuring plan proceedings and the incurrence of €937.5 million of new money. The subsequent financial restructuring implemented a comprehensive recapitalisation that resulted in a significant debt reduction and maturity extensions alongside several liquidity-enhancing measures. Adler Group is one of Germany's largest landlords holding over 25,000 residential units, largely concentrated in Berlin and North-Rhine-Westphalia, and its pre-restructuring debt load totalled in excess of €6 billion.
Nostrum
Representation of London-listed oil and gas company Nostrum Oil & Gas plc on the financial restructuring of its US$1.125 billion of senior unsecured notes via a UK scheme of arrangement.
Vue
Representation of the cinema chain Vue International on its successful recapitalisation. Vue International secured 100 per cent lender consent to the recapitalisation steps, enabling a fully consensual implementation exercise, as part of which the ownership of the group passed to its senior lenders in exchange for a discharge of approximately £470 million of debt.
Swissport
Representation of Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, on its comprehensive restructuring and recapitalization. The restructuring provided Swissport with a delevered and strengthened balance sheet by addressing approximately €1.9 billion of existing debt, and left the business with improved liquidity with which to withstand the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Petra Diamonds
Representation of the ad hoc committee of bondholders of the US$650 million 2022 Notes in the financial restructuring of the diamond mining group, Petra Diamonds, with mines in South Africa and Tanzania.
Seven Energy
Representation of an ad-hoc group of noteholders in relation to the comprehensive restructuring of Seven Energy.
Concordia
Representation of the ad hoc group of senior creditors in the US$3.7bn recapitalisation of Concordia, a publicly listed international generics pharmaceuticals business.
African Bank
Representation of the committee of senior creditors on the restructuring of African Bank.
Kaupthing
Representation of Kaupthing in relation to its winding up proceedings, the fifth largest bankruptcy ever.
Leading Lawyer, Chambers UK 2015
Restructuring/Insolvency - London (Firms)
Recommended Lawyer, The Legal 500 UK 2014
Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency
Leading Lawyer, IFLR 1000 2014
Financial Restructuring; Restructuring and Insolvency
40 Under 40
In 2013, Christian won a 40 Under 40 Recognition Award in the Legal Advisor category from The M&A Advisor, an award scheme which recognizes emerging industry leaders in M&A, private equity and restructurings.
Co-author, "Pre-pack rules repackaged", White & Case, May 2021
Co-author, "Schemes and Restructuring Plans: Challenging Times?", White & Case, February 2021
Co-author, "UK Schemes of Arrangement and US Securities Considerations", White & Case, October 2020
Co-author, "Restructuring the next wave of cov-lite debt", White & Case, July 2019
Co-author, "Restructuring across Europe – a new era?", White & Case, January 2019
Co-author, "The Lehman Brothers Administration: Scheme to the Rescue", White & Case, August 2018
Author, "Schemes of Arrangement in Corporate Restructuring", Sweet & Maxwell, July 2017
Author, "Indah Kiat Scheme – Preparation is Key", White & Case, February 2016
Co-author, "High yield bond restructurings across Europe", White & Case, April 2015
Co-author, "China poised to acquire distressed assets", White & Case, March 2015
Co-author, "APCOA – The Key Highlights of 2014's Most Discussed Scheme", White & Case, December 2014
Co-author, "Mining & Metals: Opportunity & Risk – Weathering the bottom of the cycle", White & Case, December 2014
Co-author, "'Flip-Up' Pre-Packs – A New Approach to Accessing the UK Insolvency Regime", White & Case, June 2014
Co-author, "Apcoa Parking: Availability of UK Scheme of Arrangement to foreign corporates extended", White & Case, May 2014
