Ian Coles
Head Africa & Mining Practices - Mayer Brown
Ian Coles heads Mayer Brown’s Africa and Mining practices and co-heads the Project Finance practice. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of bank and debt finance, ranging from projects and other structured finance to commodities financing and restructuring. He represents banks and other financial institutions, sponsors, and other participants in finance transactions throughout the world.
Continually recommended by the legal directories, sources praise Ian for his skill in project finance and his “invaluable knowledge of law, his banking practice and his ability to contain heated negotiations.” (Chambers UK 2014). He is “hugely experienced in the space, and brings a great wealth of knowledge to any negotiation” (Legal 500 2013). Highly sought-after, he impresses with his excellent leadership skills, “great sector knowledge and good negotiation skills.” He is “the best mining finance lawyer in London” (Legal 500 2013); in fact he is “the best mining lawyer in the UK and probably globally,” said one interviewee, adding: “He has a good intellect but also extensive experience.” (Chambers UK 2013).
Ian has also been listed in The International Who’s Who of Mining Lawyers and Project Finance Lawyers 2016. He has been listed in this publication since 2006.
Ian joined Mayer Brown in 1981, becoming a partner in 1987 and is the author of numerous articles in connection with project finance.