Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Aarti Kotecha

Summary

Accomplished senior business lawyer with a broad commercial and corporate transaction background in manufacturing, retail, entertainment, joint ventures, franchising, and green & sustainability energy. Extensive experience in the UK, Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Specializes in providing innovative legal and commercial solutions, assessing risk, drafting precise documents, and successfully closing deals and projects. Known for delivering original and unbiased advice while customizing solutions to meet client needs or specific circumstances.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Corporate Commercial – senior lawyer

Legal Clarity, Hibberts (FTC) Woodfines
07.2021 - 05.2025
  • Advised various clients, dealt with transactions from start to finish, drafted documents including advising, negotiating, amending and finalising various documents both corporate and commercial.
  • Corporate Share Sale of ATL to Hapagloyd – Project Roadrunner - Sale Due Diligence, NDA, Exclusivity Agr, Sale Heads of Terms, Sale & Purchase Agreement
  • Corporate Share Purchase - Acrylicon UK Ltd – Share Purchase of 51% of Liechtenstein shareholder (Acrylicon International Ltd) shares
  • Corporate Share Purchase - Video Design Ltd - Share Purchase of 70% of Delaware USA shareholder
  • Corporate Share Sale to USA - Evacusafe – Project Flight – NDA, SPA
  • Demerger of Goldshield Ltd – to sell off a property and development business and retain the other properties and letting business in Goldshield
  • SEIS shares new investment – Pylon Films Ltd – Investor & Shareholders Agr, amended Articles of Association, board minutes, resolutions, companies house forms
  • Share Buy-back – Constant & Co (Bedford) Ltd – by company and consideration monies paid to family trust of deceased, cancellation of A shares, redesignation of B shares to ordinary shares
  • Interagro - advising and drafting Commercial Agreements for Bayer China NDA, Material Transfer Agr, Syngenta MTA, drafting NDA, MTA & Supply agr templates for Interagro for UK and international use, Distributor Agr for France, Cerience, Bayer Germany NDA and MTA
  • Covert Swarm Ltd – 50:50 deadlock SH agr
  • Shareholders Agr for deadlock - Constant & Co (Bedford) Ltd 50:50 – share reclassification from ordinary shares to A & B ordinary shares
  • Corporate Guarantee with USA – Screenworks Ltd
  • F R Benson & Partners Limited – Termination of Agency Agr under Commercial Agency Regulations 1993 and Settlement Agr
  • Asset Purchase Agr for restructuring - Lace Guild Charity to CIO
  • Usystems – advice on Eaton agr – consent re assignments, transfers, change of control
  • Screenworks Ltd – Website Terms and T&C, Privacy and Cookie Policy
  • SEIS Venture Capital Oomph – Articles, Investors Agr, Board Minutes, Resolutions, Subscription letters
  • Distribution Agr International – Selective & Vertical Agr Anest Iwata (UK) Ltd
  • LOI M&M Ltd for supply of hemp seed oil to Europe.
  • New investment from USA – Consent Kit Ltd – Investor & Shareholders Agr
  • GCRI (Gold Coast Resorts International Ltd) – Solibay Investments Ltd Intergroup (BVI) transfer of shares and loan assignments to Solibay Capital Partners Inc.
  • Smartmist Systems Ltd – Subcontractor Agreement and various T&Cs
  • Georg Jensen – Denmark (Jacob Melander) – Gift Card T&C and Consumer Rights Act
  • Logistics Agreements for Tarmo and Lewis Wark
  • JPCS Ltd - Sub-contractor Agr
  • PK Stubbs - Bus Asset Sale to Miracle Garden of gardening and landscaping business
  • Positive Aspirations Bus Asset purchase of care services
  • Snappy Lets Franchise Business Asset purchase of Belvoir lettings franchise
  • Corporate Share Sale of lazer skin clinics franchise
  • Corporate Share Sale of a pharmacy
  • Corporate Share Sale The Paperbox Ltd to Grosvenor house papers
  • Corporate Share Sale The Leger Clinic Ltd to Medichecks Ltd
  • Rainbird Crane Services Ltd - Share 4 Share exchange with Rainbird Central
  • Corporate Share Purchase Anglo Adhesives Ltd - Share purchase of Aeromarine (target parent co) and Polymarine (subsidiary)
  • Business Asset Sale of Claude Hooper Ltd
  • Corporate Share Purchases by Emeria of various letting agent, chartered surveyor, managing agent
  • Ad Valorem Group Ltd – various share buybacks
  • Employment Ownership Trusts (EOTs) – various SPAs, Articles, Ancillaries
  • Corporate Share Purchase Safe Space Talent - Share purchase of 80% shares of target Enterprise Group, Put & Call Option to purchase remaining 20%, SH Agr
  • Corporate Share Purchase Pest Control – Share Purchase of various companies in pest control business
  • Corporate Share Sale of Edwin Fryer Holdings MBO
  • Corporate Share Purchase SJH Of Suttons
  • Corporate Share Sale of Klingele Packaging

Corporate Commercial – Senior Lawyer

Belhasa florex
01.2016 - 12.2020
  • Working on various deals, projects and commercial matters both locally and internationally.
  • Various energy and green energy projects for Florexx group companies - Advising management on various project documentation, drafting documents including advising, negotiating, amending and finalising various documents.
  • Advising clients/management on various project documentation to include project documents with SPIE (Operations & Management of FBR refinery for a minimum period of 10 years), Tebodin (PMC and Geotechnical), DNVGL (due diligence verification of FEED and EPC), ACES (Geotechnical Investigation and Topography), Siemens Chemtech (FEED contractor), RHDV (Environmental consultant), Marsh (Insurance agent for FBR), UOP/Honeywell Engineering Agr and UOP License for the production of green fuels from vegetable oil (green fuel technology unit), storage & handling stevedoring (OTO), utilities contracts and natural gas contracts, offtake(Vitol) and feedstock (Glencore) supply, EPC contract (Bechtel, Thyssenkrupp).
  • Advising on the extension of a Development Agreement with SIDC for a new plot of land at Sohar Port, Oman.
  • Sub-Usufruct Agreement (SUA) with SIDC, Sohar Port Oman for reclaimed land at Sohar Port with exclusive access to dry and liquid jetties. Advising on, negotiating and providing full and clear direction to FBR management on the SUA, guarantees and concluding negotiations.
  • EPC Contract with Bechtel UK/USA for building and construction of the green refinery. Drafting and negotiating the EPC Contract Heads of Terms and EPC Contract.
  • Negotiating and amending Technical Services Agreement (TSA) with Bechtel for initial EPC budgetary proposal.
  • Advising on Thyssenkrupp (TK) initial EPC initial budgetary proposal.
  • Feedstock Supply Agreement with Global Leaf USA for jatropha seeds
  • Florexx Tyrol EPC & Technology Contract with Pyrum in Umm Al Quwain, UAE re production of green electricity, green diesel oil, green gas & coke from used tyres with Pyrum technology – reviewing, negotiating, amending and advising on the same.
  • Acciona Industrial EPC Contract with Acciona for building and construction of the green refinery in Sohar port. Drafting and negotiating the EPC Contract Heads of Terms and EPC Contract.
  • Hakan Agro – drafting Oil Feedstock Supply Agreement for the supply of vegetable oils.
  • Syngas Plant project, Kizad – STX and Topsoe Technology Agr.
  • Shell – drafting NDA, Oil Offtaker MOU Term Sheet, Offtake Agr for Shell to purchase all green fuels produced from the Sohar refinery.
  • ADM – drafting Oil Feedstock Supply Agreement for the supply of vegetable oils.
  • Lenders advisors due diligence engagement letters for green fuel project, reviewing and advising on, for: JLT – insurance, Linklaters – Dubai legal, Dentons – Oman legal, ERM – environmental, Nexant and Jacobs - technical and marketing
  • Toppreff Oil Refinery Project, Fujairah, UAE – for topping (1st refinement) of crude oil to produce petroleum products – advising, amending, finalizing an MOU between SNVL and Toppreff for EPC and designing services for the topping refinery. Reviewing and advising on SNVL Services Agr for the Topping Refinery
  • OTO (stevedoring company) reviewing and advising on Storage and Handling Agr between OTO and FBR for the import of vegetable oil and export of green fuels using OTO facilities.
  • Glencore - drafting Oil Feedstock Supply Agreement for the supply of vegetable oil to the Sohar refinery.
  • Vitol – drafting Offtaker Agr for Vitol to offtake 100% of the green fuels produced by FBR refinery.
  • Shell Sulphur License and CBI Hydrogen License - reviewing and advising on agreements for Sohar refinery
  • Utilities contracts - Reviewing and advising on the utility contracts for the FBR project from Majis (Oman water), Omantel and Majis (Oman electricity)
  • Sharjah National Oil Company (SNOC) – Reviewing and advising on MOU and Natural Gas Supply Agr with Florexx International Investments for the supply of natural gas to various Florexx projects in Oman and UAE.
  • Fujairah – Topping refinery – Reviewed and advising on KPMG engagement letter as financial advisors for the Toppreff project, Drafted EPC Contract for SNVL, Drafted O&M Agreement for SPIE, Drafted Stevedoring Service Agreement for Vopak Horizon Fujairah Limited operations, Drafted, negotiated and finalised PMC Agreement for Ramboll, Advising on FEWA Mott MacDonald and GOPA Inte Consultancy Agr for electrical designing/engineering.
  • Kizad, Abu Dhabi land Kizad Musataha and Port Lease agreements – reviewing and advising on the new land plot for Florexx to move the project from Sohar to Kizad.
  • Metito Utilities Ltd – Joint Venture MOU - Drafting JV MOU for a JV between Metito and Florexx for the green biofuel refinery
  • Aecom – ESIA – Advising on, amending and finalising Environmental Consultancy Agr
  • Chemietechnik LLC EPC – Joint Venture MOU - Drafting and negotiating JV MOU for a JV between Chemietechnik and Florexx for the green biofuel refinery.
  • Black & Veach EPC – Joint Venture MOU - Drafting JV MOU for a JV between B&V and Florexx for the green biofuel refinery and negotiating.
  • Arabian Industrial Gases Company L.L.C. – for hydrogen and nitrogen purchase and Florexx to supply them with CO2 – MOU draft reviewed and advised management.
  • Dubai Investments Industries (new investor) - drafted JV MOU
  • Edible Oil Company – reviewing and amending MOU for crushing seeds to produce feedstock for the green project.
  • Kizad office lease – advising Atlas management on ADPC office lease.
  • Various business matters for Saif Belhasa Holding group. Advising management on various business projects and legal documents to include
  • Al Khawaneej zoo – Reviewing, advising on Environment Services Agr with Royal Haskoning
  • Caratgena / All The Way Up LLC – Trade Mark License and Promotion Agreement for setting-up footwear & apparel stores in UAE. Advising on MOU and License and Promotion Agreement for the Dubai stores for Money Kicks General Trading LLC in Mall of Emirates, Dubai Mall and Mall of the World.
  • Seahorse Boats Trading LLC – Sale & Purchase Agreement for purchase of the Floating Seahorse Boathouse.
  • Distribution Agreement for Sprayground bags from SB Group to other distributors in the gulf and Asia regions
  • Fauchon luxury cafes – Franchise hospitality Agr review and advising.
  • Maison Brome LLC & KA1 Clothing LLC – Sales Consignment Agreements review and advising.
  • Distribution Agreement for Forest Resources, Style SRL for Sprayground bags and fashion in India, Middle East, Europe.
  • Virgin Megastores, Arda & Moneykicks – Advising on Supply Agr for Qatar and Bahrain.
  • House of Fraser – Advising on and finalising Consignment Agr for Moneykicks and KA1.
  • DP World & Belhasa Driving Centre BDC - reviewing and advising on Driving Training Agr with DP World.

JBA Legal Consultants
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Associated with Mackrell International UK, Legal 500
  • Advised various clients multinational and international, dealt with transactions from start to finish, drafted documents including advising, negotiating, amending and finalising various corporate and commercial documents.
  • Aptec Holdings Ltd (DIFC co) - the largest investment in the MENASA region:
  • Corporate Share Sale of Aptec Mobile LLC to Fastlink
  • Advising and drafting on a Distribution Agreement with Dell
  • Drafting and advising on a Deed of Release between Aptec and Fastlink for use of name
  • Corporate Share Sale of Aptec Holdings Ltd to American multinational Ingram
  • Corporate Share Sale of Lucros Capital Advisors Ltd (DIFC co) to Barejeel
  • Corporate Share Purchase by Al Laith Scaffolding LLC of WFT LLC
  • Henderson International LLC – Business Asset Sale of Al Harma yacht marina in Ras Al Khaimah and advising on various other commercial agreements and matters.
  • Business Asset Purchase of an oil rig for Sonoro Energy - a Netherlands multinational
  • Sony - Advising, reviewing, amending and drafting commercial contracts on an ongoing basis for Sony Professional Solutions Middle East FZ LLC for various new and ongoing projects in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region including advising on Sony agreements with Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), Algerian Government, Oman Government, Turkmenistan Broadcasting Stations, Bahrain Government, the Royal Courts of Bahrain, Bahrain TV, Zanzibar Government TV, Republic of Uganda, Ethiopia, Sky Broadcasting, Kuwait, Africa, Ethiopia, Supplier Agreement with sub-contractors, Ghana Government, Qatar TV, Al Jazeera, Kenya, Tanzania, Lebanon, Corporate Procurement Agr, fourfour54 Intaj Framework Agr, Ethiopia Government, Dealer Agreement, Ethiopia TV and Radio Agency Agreement, Japan Sumitomo.
  • Blackberry – Research In Motion plc - Advising Blackberry and reviewing and advising on contracts on an ongoing basis and advising on Telecoms Regulatory Authority (TRA) regulations and local laws relating to consumers, packaging & labelling, gaming rating standards, consumer protections & data protection, reviewing and advising on various contracts, researching and advising on lawful access and lawful interception by the UAE government, advising and review of RIM’s playbook warranties and various implications under UAE laws
  • Vortex International (BVI) Ltd – working and advising on various corporate Mergers & Acquisition matters and corporate projects on an ongoing basis:
  • Advising on new corporate investment by Vortex International Ltd in Extraordinary Rio Productions Ltd
  • Corporate Share Purchase in part by Vortex International Ltd of Adoria Entertainment Group Ltd (Hong Kong deal)
  • Corporate Share Purchase in part by 5-HT Entertainment Company Ltd in Fabric Life Ltd
  • Foodfund International Ltd - Ribs & Rumps/The Meat Factory/Tribes restaurants – working and advising on various corporate and commercial matters and franchise and joint venture projects
  • Floor It FZ LLC - Advising and drafting commercial agreements (including Advertising Agency Agr, Supplier Agr, Commercial Services Agr, Shareholders Agr and Franchise Agr).
  • Wild Peeta LLC – Advising and drafting of various commercial agreements including Trade Mark Licence Agreement, tailored Articles of Association, Management Agreement, Master Franchise & Sub-Franchise.
  • International Dairy Queen and Allure Brow –advise, drafting Franchise Agreements and distribution agr.
  • Various Al Futtaim Projects as below re Carrefour
  • Georgia: Eastpoint Hypermarket MOU, ATL, LA
  • Armenia: Corporate Asset Purchase of 13 stores in Armenia, Yerevan City – Framework Umbrella, Lease Agreements (LA), ATL for development stores, Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement, Merchandise Sale and Purchase Agreement, Master Lease Agreement and Sub-Lease Agreements
  • Jordan: Corporate Asset purchase of Spinney’s store (Scheisselmi) – Asset Agr, LA, Assignment of Contract Rights and Obligations, Key Money Payment Agreement, Termination Agr and Full and Final Release and Discharge Agreement, Sale and Disposition Declaration and Notice of Sale of Assets
  • Kenya – The Hub and Two Rivers projects– legal DD, drafting/amending ATLs LAs
  • Egypt: Corporate Asset purchase of 3 Spinney’s supermarket stores
  • Kazakhstan: Armada Hypermarket – DD,MOU, ATL, LA; Kazakhstan: Atakent Hypermarket-DD,ATL, LA
  • Georgia: Isani Supermarket – DD and LA,Georgia: Axis Supermarket – DD and LA,Georgia: Gldani Hypermarket – DD,Georgia – various high value Sub-Lease Agreements.
  • Armenia – Yerevan Mall Hypermarket – LA

Corporate Associate

Al Tamimi & Company Legal Consultants
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Advising on various mergers and acquisitions.
  • Legal 500

Corporate Associate

Challinors Hawkins Hatton LLP
01.2003 - 01.2008
  • Advising on various mergers and acquisitions.
  • Legal 500, UK, Lexcel accredited

Education

Law LLB (Honours) - Law

University of Bristol
01.2003

Skills

  • Contract drafting
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Corporate transactions
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Time management
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Legal document preparation
  • Risk assessment
  • Contract review and negotiation

Hobbies and Interests

Travel = Kenya; UK & Europe; India; Dubai & UAE Emirates; Australia; Singapore; Bahrain; Oman; Qatar; Jordan; Turkey; Egypt; USA; Maldives; Nepal; Indonesia; Thailand; Hawaii; Cyprus, Portugal. Hiking, walking, theatre, swimming.

Accomplishments

  • M&A deals for a broad industry base (not industry specific) for both share sale and purchase and asset sale and purchase in the region of $250k up to $100 million. Due diligences, drafting SPAs/APAs or reviewing and amending SPAs/APAs, advising and negotiating, disclosures. To include industries such as manufacturing, entertainment, energy vegetable oils to include animal feeds and cotton ginning industry, food & beverage, medical, timber, car dealership, paint company, cinemas, hotel etc
  • Green energy & sustainability projects in the region of $500k up to $1 billion, she has advised management on project documentation to include O&M, PMC and Geotechnical investigation, FEED, EPC, Environmental Consultant, Engineering & Technology License, Storage & Handling Stevedoring, Utilities and Natural Gas, Feedstock Supply and Offtake.
  • Consultations for various clients regionally and international. Advising management on various business projects and legal documents to include JVs, franchising, distributorships and supply, projects, confidentiality agreements, heads of terms, debentures, personal/corporate/bank guarantees, various commercial agreements and projects documentation.
  • Projects for large international technology and project companies in the region of $500k to $10 million.
  • Retail commercial projects for a large European supermarket chain for franchise expansion in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Timeline

Corporate Commercial – senior lawyer

Legal Clarity, Hibberts (FTC) Woodfines
07.2021 - 05.2025

Corporate Commercial – Senior Lawyer

Belhasa florex
01.2016 - 12.2020

JBA Legal Consultants
01.2010 - 01.2015

Corporate Associate

Al Tamimi & Company Legal Consultants
01.2008 - 01.2010

Corporate Associate

Challinors Hawkins Hatton LLP
01.2003 - 01.2008

Law LLB (Honours) - Law

University of Bristol

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Aarti Kotecha