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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 head of our Middle East corporate and commercial practice. He has over 19 years of experience of advising 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.

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 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.

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

Chambers International 2022

Oliver Stevens is a fantastic lawyer who seems to genuinely care about his clients. His communication skills are excellent allowing him to explain complex legal matters in a straightforward manner. His knowledge of commercial law is impressive.

Legal 500 EMEA 2021

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 500 EMEA 2020

I would highly recommend [Oliver's] services for all M&A related activities. He always made time for our engagement and no request was ever too much.

Legal 500 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 500 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 500 EMEA 2020

Oliver Stevens is extremely diligent and knowledgeable.

Legal 500 EMEA 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 International 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 International 2018

Publications