Ben Constance

Expertise

With over 20 years’ experience around the world, Ben’s practice has a focus on both domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, venture capital and complex commercial transactions. 

Ben regularly assists foreign investors entering both new and into the Australian market. He has advised on private company transactions and capital market deals throughout Australia, United States, Asia and the Middle East. 

His key areas of focus are on the technology, property, construction, energy and resources, renewables, hospitality and manufacturing sectors.

Ben regularly advises senior management, boards of directors, general counsels and key stakeholders on significant investments and major projects as well as in relation to regulatory and compliance issues. 

Ben has previously been recognized as a notable practitioner in Chambers rankings for his corporate and M&A credentials. He also previously led the corporate and M&A teams in the Middle East and Asia for prominent international law firms. 

Experience

Ben’s recent transaction experience includes:

• advising the shareholders of US-based Managed Pressure Operations on their share sale to Aker Solutions (US$100m) and joint venture with OilServ based in the Middle East 
• representing Petra Group on the acquisition of three modular building companies across Australia and establishment of a new facility in the United States
• advising Emerson and its related subsidiaries on numerous joint ventures and commercial agency relationships globally, including advising on its US$450m acquisition of Virgo Valves
• led on the US$400m joint venture for Saudi investment firm, Al Sharq Investments, to develop a mixed use W Hotel and residences on Palm Jumierah, Dubai by way of joint venture with Al Mana group
• acted for Australian entity Ignite Energy Resources on its proposed TSX Venture Exchange listing and reverse takeover by scheme of arrangement (CDN$400 million), as well as acquisition of Maxall Energy New Zealand
• advised Australian entity Kempe Engineering on the sale of its engineering technology operations in Middle East and Africa to Outotec OYJ (US$80m)
• advised a Gulf-based conglomerate on the acquisition of ‘The Holiday Inn Express’ group of hotels and operating companies in Dubai from Dubai International Capital and Ishraq Holdings (US$75m)
• advised UAE-based National Bonds Corporation on its sale of Lagoons Village LLC to Deyaar Development (US$100 million) and on its acquisition of a majority interest in Landmark Properties
• acted on an investment into a UAE-based utility company for a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund (managed by Asma Capital in Bahrain) to develop water desalination plants in the Gulf region – US$120m
• advised on the IPO and ASX listing of Singapore-based iProperty (ASX:IPP). iProperty is a leading Asian on-line property portal.