Media Mention
When direct lending turns distressed - in conversation with Hogan Lovells
06 March 2019
Paul Mullen
PartnerLondon
Email paul.mullen@hoganlovells.com
Phone +44 20 7296 5390
Fax +44 20 7296 2001
LanguagesEnglish
Practice groupFinance
'He is very good at steering negotiations in a positive and productive way. He clearly has the experience and understands what the commercial points are.'
Chambers UK 2015
Acting for both lenders and borrowers at the top end of mid-market sponsor-backed financings, Paul has been particularly involved with the development of the direct lending market in Europe, advising lenders on unitranche and other types of direct lending products (including first loss/second loss, second lien, and PIK) as well as banks providing working capital and other facilities alongside the funds.
Paul's extensive experience and deep understanding of the market means that clients often call on him when they need advice on developing new and innovative products. As the head of our market leading direct lending practice, he has built strong relationships with a range of major global debt funds including Ares, Barings, Permira Debt Managers, CVC Credit, EQT, Five Arrows and Hayfin as well as banks and sponsors.
Education and admissions
Education
The College of Law, Guildford, 1994
LL.B. (Hons First Class), University of Glasgow, 1992
Representative experience
Ares Management on the financing of the acquisition of Wireless Logic Group by Montagu Private Equity.
EQT Credit and Lloyds Bank on the unitranche/stretched super senior financing of the acquisition of Hydro International by Agilitas.
Permira Debt Managers in connection with a unitranche facility and super senior facility for the purposes of acquiring the Capital Economics Group.
Bank of Ireland, Guggenheim Partners, HSBC, Lloyds and SMBC on the senior financing of the acquisition of SLR Consulting by Charterhouse Capital Partners.
Wyevale Garden Centres (owned by Terra Firma) on the unitranche and super senior revolving credit facilities provided by Hayfin, Barclays Bank plc and Lloyds Bank plc.
Goldman Sachs in relation to the unitranche refinancing of FNZ Group.
Tinopolis Group in relation to the debt facilities provided by BlackRock, HSBC, Pemberton and SMBC in connection with management's acquisition of Vitruvian's interests.
Barings, HSBC, RBS and Five Arrows on the acquisition of the Lark group of insurance broker companies by the Aston Scott group of insurance brokers.
Latest thinking and events
Hogan Lovells Publications
Collaboration between debt funds and banks in European mid-market leveraged financings Lev Fin Spin
29 January 2019
Hogan Lovells Publications
Private credit: the rise of direct lenders and alternative funding structures Lev Fin Spin
10 October 2018
