Privatization

LeighFisher has a long established reputation as one of the world’s leading specialist privatization advisors on airports and related assets. We bring an in-depth knowledge of the industry sectors and combined commercial and technical expertise to the privatization process that complements that of corporate and financial advisors.

We have extended this privatization expertise into advising governments on the divestment and privatization particularly of core infrastructure assets, such as ports, social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, and the range of options for private sector involvement in toll roads, rail and other major infrastructure classes. The privatization of government assets is a much more complex and sophisticated process now than it was in the previous privatization drive of the 1990s. In particular government organizations need to take account of multiple stakeholder and community engagement factors, the changed nature of the investor community, the constraints imposed by the 2008 global financial crisis, and financial and industry regulatory and legislative requirements. The decision to privatize public services is a complex one, which is the culmination of an exhaustive review of structural options and extended consultation processes.

LeighFisher provides a full range of privatization services to government clients from commercial and technical preparedness, through options appraisals to community engagement and stakeholder consultation and financial review. Our distinctive ability is to work closely with investment banks, corporate finance, financial and legal advisors to provide strategic, commercial, and in depth operational and technical expertise whether to the owner or to prospective bidders or their lenders.