EXPERTISE
Oliver is a partner and head of Addleshaw Goddard's Oman corporate practice. Oliver advises clients on the legal aspects of regional and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments and general corporate governance and compliance matters. His clients include a number of international blue-chip organisations from a wide variety of sectors.
After graduating from the University of Warwick with a first class law degree and the College of Law with a distinction, Oliver spent five years in the London office of White & Case. Oliver moved to Dubai in August 2012 with Clyde & Co. In January 2014, Oliver was offered the exciting challenge of helping to establish Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate practice in the Middle East and in May 2016, he moved to Muscat.
Oliver was ranked by Legal 500 EMEA 2023 as a 'Leading Individual' for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Oman and by Chambers International 2023 in 'Band 2' for Corporate & Finance in Oman.
- Experience
Oliver has advised:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Al Hosn Investment Company 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 reseller
- Raysut Cement Company, a cement company listed on the Muscat Securities Market, on its US$ 60 million acquisition of Sohar Cement Factory LLCThe 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
- Havenvest Private Equity on its investment in the Middle East division of the Help AG Group, an IT and Internet security services business
- Anglo Arabian Healthcare on its acquisition of a majority interest in a number of market leading polyclinics in Dubai
- Professional Memberships
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Testimonials
He is an experienced, reliable and very responsive lawyer. Highly recommended. He is excellent for corporate/M&A and international funds work.
CHAMBERS INTERNATIONAL 2023
"Oliver has superb drafting skills and excellent understanding of commercial needs. His level of responsiveness is unparalleled. In terms of corporate matters, Oliver has always been strong and accessible. It's always a pleasure to work with him"
CHAMBERS INTERNATIONAL 2022
"Oliver Stevens is extremely diligent and knowledgeable"
LEGAL 500 EMEA 2020
"Addleshaw Goddard is 'one of the premier legal firms in Oman' with 'a very strong commercial team' consisting of both expat and local Omani lawyers with 'very strong ties with local ministries in the Sultanate'. The 'extremely diligent and knowledgeable' Oliver Stevens leads the practice and is regularly instructed on big-ticket corporate and M&A deals."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"Oliver and his team are very helpful, active, and are available when you need them. Their strength lies in their personalised and friendly service. It is very professional yet in a very friendly manner."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"Oliver is a very friendly and down to earth person. He represented us well in the negotiations in our deals. He is prompt in returning the work required from him. Very understanding when it comes to fees, and favours providing quality work over trying to save money if he reaches his cap on fees."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"I would highly recommend his services for all M&A related activities. He always made time for our engagement and no request was ever too much."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"Extremely personable and very easy to work with. Communication throughout was a strength, alongside transparency of costs. The team at Addleshaws are my ‘go to’ lawyers for support in day-to-day corporate and commercial matters in Oman."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"They have a thorough understanding of the law, coupled with good dual Arabic/English lawyers for effective management of legal matters in this jurisdiction. They are all very responsive and eager to please."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"Oliver Stevens is always quick to respond to queries, whether large or small and regularly works overtime to deliver an advice on time. He has a thorough knowledge of the law in Oman, coupled with practical knowledge about the realities of working in this jurisdiction."
LEGAL 5OO EMEA 2020"Oliver Stevens leads the corporate group and has a growing profile in the market. He has advised on major M&A and private equity transactions, as well as Omani joint ventures. Clients find him to be "fantastic" and "very approachable," giving further praise for his high level of responsiveness."
CHAMBERS OMAN 2020"Oliver Stevens heads the Oman corporate team. He is commended by sources for his responsiveness and strong client-service skills. An extremely satisfied interviewee noted: "He was very, very responsive. You got a response from an e-mail in a few hours, and he would be available at any time, which is great. His answers were concise and to the point."
CHAMBERS OMAN 2019"Head of corporate Oliver Stevens impresses clients with his responsiveness. Sources say: "He really understands the requirements of his clientele and it's reflected in his work." Another source praised his ability to provide "practical solutions."
CHAMBERS OMAN 2018
