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Oliver Stevens

"Oliver Stevens is excellent. Intelligent, flexible, hungry, and pragmatic. He is arguably the leading corporate lawyer in Oman" - Legal 500 EMEA 2021

Partner, Head of Corporate Middle East
Oman

EXPERTISE

Oliver is a Partner and leads our Middle East corporate and commercial division. With more than 19 years of expertise, he provides legal guidance on regional and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments, as well as general corporate governance and compliance issues. His portfolio includes numerous international blue-chip companies across a diverse range of sectors.

Oliver has worked in the region since 2012. Prior to joining AG, Oliver worked in the London and Milan offices of a US global firm and the Dubai office of a leading international firm. Oliver obtained a first-class law degree from the University of Warwick in the UK.

Oliver was ranked by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 as a 'Leading Individual' for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Oman and by Chambers International 2024 in 'Band 2' for Corporate & Finance in Oman.

Experience

Oliver has advised:

Oman Investment Authority on the establishment of Future Fund Oman which has a capital of US$ 5.2 billion to invest in line with the national directive to boost Oman's economic development and attract international investors
Qatar Investment Authority on its participation as an anchor investor in the US$ 750 million initial public offering of OQ Gas Networks SAOG, Oman's largest IPO at that date
bp on the acquisition of 49% of Hyport Coordination Company which will produce green hydrogen and ammonia at Duqm, Oman
Rakiza Infrastructure Fund on its joint venture with Helios Towers plc which has acquired the passive telecommunications tower infrastructure portfolio owned by Omantel for US$ 495 million
China State Grid on its circa US$ 1 billion acquisition of 49% of the share capital of Oman Electricity Transmission Company, a part of the partial privatisation of the electricity sector in Oman
Vision Insurance on its merger with Oman Qatar Insurance Company, a significant merger for the Oman insurance sector between two companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange
Alizz Islamic Bank on its US$ 8.4 billion merger with Oman Arab Bank, the first transaction of any kind under the Oman Takeover Code which won 'IFN Mergers & Acquisitions Deal of the Year 2020'
Worley on Oman aspects of its US$ 4.6 billion acquisition of Jacobs' Energy, Chemicals & Resources division, a leading global technical services provider across hydrocarbons, chemicals, mining and minerals
DP World on Oman aspects of its US$ 1.08 billion acquisition of Dubai-headquartered oil services and marine logistics company Topaz Energy and Marine
Qatar Investment Authority on its US$ 320 million investment in a hotel portfolio of 18 leading hotels, including the W Hotel, InterContinental and JW-Marriott hotels in Muscat
The Pearl Real Estate Investment Fund, which owns a number of prominent buildings in Oman, on its IPO on the Muscat Stock Exchange
Bank Muscat on its divestment of a US$ 620 million stake in Octal Holdings UK Ltd to Alpek Polyester, a petrochemical company listed on the Mexican stock exchange
Commercial Bank of Qatar on its US$ 150 million proposed acquisition of a majority of the shares in National Bank of Oman which was only the second transaction to be undertaken under Oman's Takeover Code
Oman Investment Fund on the US$ 130 million disposal of 15% of the share capital of Oman International Development and Investment Company SOAG (Ominvest)
Omantel on its minority investment in Renna Mobile, a mobile telecommunications res e eller
Raysut Cement Company, a cement company listed on the Muscat Securities Market, on its US$ 60 million acquisition of Sohar Cement Factory LLC
The shareholders of AATCO Food Industries, one of the largest suppliers of sauces and condiments in the Middle East to customers such as KFC and McDonalds, on its US$ 70 million sale to Kerry Foods
Mars Development and Investment on the acquisition of Purshottam Kanji Exchange, a leading currency exchange business in Oman
Ensign International Energy Services, which provides drilling services to the oil and gas industry, on the sale of 30% of its shares from Gulf Petrochemical Services to Leadership Dynamics
Oman National Investments Development Company on its US$ 45.7 million subscription for, and acquisition of, a significant minority interest in Awasr Oman and Partners, a leading provider of fibre optic services in Oman
Bank Sohar on its proposed merger with BankDhofar in Oman, which would have created a merged entity with a market capitalisation of approximately US$ 1.8 billion
The management of Oman Investment Corporation on a management buy-out, which we understand was the first successful leveraged management buy-out in the GCC region
Rolls-Royce on regional aspects of the £985 million sale of its gas turbines and compressors energy business to Siemens
Anglo Arabian Healthcare on its acquisition of a majority interest in a number of market leading polyclinics in Dubai

Education

College of Law, Guildford (Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice , 2003, Distinction)
University of Warwick (Bachelor of Laws , 2001, First Class Honours)

Professional Memberships

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Testimonials

"Oliver's legal advice is blended with the commercial, taking into account the on-the-ground realities. He brings his own added value and he knows the local environment well."
Chambers Global 2024

"He is very commercial and understands requirements. He comes back with very clear proposals."
Chambers Global 2024

"Oliver Stevens is the stand-out partner. He is always supportive and available as and when required to provide the proper advice and support." Legal 500 MENA 2024

‘Oliver Stevens – Absolutely committed to his clients. Always goes the extra mile.’
Legal 500 MENA 2024

Publications