Jonathan is Gowling WLG's Head of Projects, Global Co-lead of the Energy Nuclear Natural Resources and Infrastructure Sector, and heads the Abu Dhabi office where he is based. With over 25 years' experience in the region, he has built a successful career advising procuring authorities and government agencies on the design and award of complex, high-value projects internationally. He has extensive experience advising government entities, sponsors, lenders, and contractors on PPAs, WPAs, ECAs, and associated EPC and O&M contracts in the power and utilities, infrastructure, and PPP sectors; experience he enjoys putting to good use for the benefit of his clients.
Jonathan's track record includes some of the first benchmark power and water projects in the GCC, which were successfully closed and continue to form the template for subsequent projects across the GCC and Africa. With experience across many different jurisdictions and sectors, acting for both public and private sector organisations, Jonathan's clients benefit from his all-round perspective of different parties' interests and priorities.
Jonathan thrives on the challenge of getting big, complex, and hugely important water, renewable energy, and infrastructure projects off the ground, in sometimes challenging environments across Africa, the Middle East, and, increasingly, Central Asia. He has an acute awareness of the need to be pragmatic and commercial to deliver successful projects in emerging markets. He also has a deep understanding of the range of funding models used around the world, and a comprehensive knowledge of international PPP models and market risk positions.
Jonathan features in the Legal 500's elite 'Leading Lawyers' list and has been ranked year after year as 'Leading Lawyer in Emerging Markets' since 2020. He is also ranked as a Tier 1 construction lawyer by the Legal 500 UAE.
