The MENA-based independent panel of judges for IJGlobal Awards 2023 selected Albert Kromm – a senior associate in the finance and projects practice at Pinsent Masons – to win the Rising Star trophy.

One of the judges said: “It is quite clear from the submission that Albert is highly regarded by the hierarchy within Pinsent Masons and – from personal experience – I could not agree more with this choice. Albert is, without question, the very definition of a rising star.”

The judges admired the “diverse portfolio” that Albert is working across, singling him out for his experience “across jurisdictions and sectors, sponsor and lender roles”.

The judging comments were rounded off with: “Albert in, arguably, a fairly short period of time has managed to build a reputation and had impact on some crucial transactions that are key for driving the regional market on.”

Albert acts primarily for financial institutions, sponsors and government related entities on structuring and financing projects with significant experience in infrastructure, utilities, power and water projects.

He has extensive experience acting for leading financial institutions and corporate entities on a range of cross-border, bilateral and syndicated financings, refinancings and restructurings on a national and international level, with particular expertise in Shariah-compliant financing structures.

Albert is admitted to practice in England & Wales (2014) and – before relocating to Dubai in 2019 –worked in London and Moscow.

He was unanimously put forward by the practice’s senior members for this award, based on his outstanding performance and vital contributions to the team’s successful completion of several landmark transaction in the region.

According to the submission: “Albert has been an integral part of the cross-jurisdictional team that delivered a first financial close to the truly monumental social infrastructure project for accommodation on the NEOM Project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to be built by Alfanar Projects.”

In recent times, Albert acted for Abrdn Investcorp Infrastructure Partners and Alfouzan Alsabiq Holding Company on their bid for the development of the Courthouse Complex PPP in Jeddah, procured by the State Properties General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He is acting for the banks in connection with a bid by a consortium led by BESIX and Plenary for student accommodation at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) -in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) – is procuring the contract on a PPP basis.

Albert is also working with Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank and Bank Saudi Franci alongside Abdul Aziz Al Ajlan and China Harbor Investment on the Jadidat Arar Land Port and Logistics Zone project procured by ZATCA and the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia in Jadidat Arar in Saudi Arabia.

He is also advising the sponsors on their bid for the development of the Courthouse Complex PPP in Mekkah procured by the State Properties General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The submission continues: “In addition to the recognition from his team, Albert continually receives extremely positive feedback from clients, not just for the quality of his work, proactiveness, and unrelenting work ethic, but also for his amiable character.”

Murtaza Sikander Khan, head of project finance at Riyad Bank praises his “overall work ethic, professionalism, legal acumen and out of the box solution oriented approach (that) was instrumental in getting us all across the line. But above all it was a delight to interact with him on a personal level”.

Sarat Ponnada – projects, M&A and structured finance, legal counsel – at Alfanar Projects is “…impressed with his expertise and dedication. Throughout the transaction, he exhibited a proactive and solution-oriented approach in identifying potential challenges and offered strategic advice to mitigate risks in order to ensure smooth closure of the transaction.”