Richard Stephens
Partner London
Richard is a Partner in the Tax Group.
Richard advises UK and multi-national companies on all aspects of UK corporation tax, with a focus on the maritime, energy and real estate sectors.
Richard acts for a number of banks and international shipping clients in relation to their financings of maritime assets and has a particular interest in the UK’s Tonnage Tax regime.
Richard is a member of the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Tax and Economics Committee and was a member of the Industry Advisory Group for the UK Government’s Maritime Growth Study.
He acts for a number of international clients in relation to their investments in UK wind (offshore and onshore) and solar projects and has provided advice on the UK tax issues connected with numerous UK company disposals.
In 2018-19, leading legal directory Legal 500 UK praised the WFW London Tax Group as “impressive” and as standing out for its “first-class” client service and “highly-responsive, proactive” approach to issues.
- Advising TUI Cruises GmbH on the finalisation of the building contracts for two new InTUItion class cruise ships to be built by Fincantieri, Europe’s largest shipbuilder, in Italy.
- Advising Burbo Extension Ltd, a joint venture between Ørsted A/S, PKA and KIRKBI A/S on the sale of transmission assets valued at approximately £193m to Diamond Transmission Partners BBE Ltd.
- Advising NYK Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha on the execution of its long-term charter contract with EDF LNG Shipping, a subsidiary of the electricity major, Electricité de France.
- Advising Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. on several matters relating to the completion of its major investment and financing initiatives linked to the US$610m equity investment by Brookfield Business Partners L.P.
- Advising Velocita Energy Developments Ltd on its disposal of a portfolio for a transaction value of £191.5m to Canada’s Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. and Desjardins Group Pension Plan.
Education
- 2000 – 2001 · College of Law, Chester
- 1997 – 1998 · University of Bayreuth
- 1995 – 1999 · University of Birmingham
- 1988 – 1995 · Manchester Grammar School
memberships & associations
- UK Chamber of Shipping’s Tax and Economics Committee
- Industry Advisory Group for the UK Government’s Maritime Growth Study
- PressWFW advises NYK on long-term charter contracts for four LNG carriers
- PressWFW advises Infranity on €120m financing for 178 MW Italian solar PV portfolio
- ArticleUK Tonnage Tax – New Election Window
- PressWFW advises Beacon Energy on reverse takeover of Rhein Petroleum and related equity fundraising
- PressWFW advises lenders on financing of Afentra’s entry into Angola