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Giovanni Carpenzano
Giovanni is an Associate Director of GLS Group. He has 20 years of experience gained from working at leading global law firms and holding blue-chip in-house positions, including at the General Counsel level, at a range of significant international organisations in the finance and investments space. Giovanni is accomplished in advising clients on a range of strategic, legal and management issues. Giovanni has gained deep international experience, having worked in the UAE, Italy and the UK, especially in the areas of finance (including Islamic finance), corporate finance, M&A and corporate & commercial projects.
Indicative Experience
Corporate / Finance: Advising upon the structuring and placement of a US$32bn finance package associated with a major government infrastructure project.
Corporate / Finance: Advising a Dubai Government related entity in relation to a US$1bn USEXIMExport Credit Financing for a healthcare facility.
Corporate / Finance: Liaising with European and American Export Credit Agencies in relation to the financing of infrastructure projects across the GCC.
Corporate / Finance: Advising upon an AED2.5bn ‘club deal’ hotel financing, structured as a Commodity Murabaha Agreement with four major UAE banks.
Corporate / Finance: Advising on a US$1.6bn financial restructuring, as part of a rescue and workout package for a major construction project.
Corporate / Finance: Advising upon a US$100M Murabaha facility with a major Turkish real estate developer for an iconic building in Istanbul
Corporate / M&A: Advising on the 90% stake sale of Las Vegas-based The Light Group to the Morgans Hotel Group.
Corporate / JV: Advising a leading Dubai Government real estate developer in creating a joint venture to develop a major mixed-use development in the GCC.
Corporate / JV: Advising upon two JV arrangements with the Government of Jordan for the development, management, and operation of an air cargo terminal.
Professional Qualifications
Admitted to the Bar of Milan, Italy
Prior Positions
Dubai Economic Council, UAE
Investment Director (2014-2016)
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
General Counsel (2013-2014)
Zabeel Investments, UAE
Head of Legal (2010-2013)
Turkapital Holding (PE Arm of KFH), Kuwait/Istanbul
Head of Legal (2008-2010)
Agility, Kuwait
Senior Legal Counsel (2005-2008)
Education
Universita’ Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Milan
Juris Doctor (1998)
Key Strengths
A natural problem solver
Calm under pressure
Strong team player and team builder
Proven deal maker
Genuinely international experience and capability
Expertise
Documentation Engineering
Process Efficiency Consultancy
Resource Leverage Consultancy
Standardisation Based Efficiency
Other