Rakesh Bassi

Rakesh Bassi has extensive Saudi Arabian experience in corporate and commercial matters particularly in JVs, M&A, merger control, IPOs, private placements, distribution and agency arrangements, outsourcing and supply of goods and services. Rakesh has over 20+ years legal experience (12 years of which have been in Saudi Arabia (“KSA”). In KSA, he has worked at international law firms such as Clifford Chance, Al Tamimi & Co and DLA Piper. At the last two he was the Head of Office (Jeddah). 

In London, he worked at Norton Rose and Hogan & Lovells. He facilitates both inward and outward investments for multinational entities, KSA conglomerates and family businesses in various industries. He is highly regarded for his expertise and insights in doing business in KSA, KSA joint ventures, acquisitions, restructurings, anti-trust and commercial transactions.

He is based in Riyadh and oversees a number of corporate mandates across KSA. Over the years he has received recognition in Chambers Global and Legal 500. In 2024 Chambers Global ranked him as 1 of 29 lawyers ranked in the KSA Corporate chapter, as well as 1 of 3 lawyers highlighted in its new Competition spotlight.

Related Experience:

    • A KSA Luxury Brand retailer on each of its KSA merger control filings as a result of its JVs with the different Kerring group brand companies owning Gucci, Armani, and Bottega Veneta in KSA
    • McLaren Racing on its merger control filing in relation to its acquisition of the Mercedes-Benz Formula E team
    • ADNOC L&S on its acquisition of a vessel charter services company and its related merger control filing
    • ADES International PLC on its KSA merger control filing as a result of its cash offer, delisting and subsequent investments made by a State-owned entity and others
    • All parties on the merger control filing for the public company takeover of Arena Group PLC by way of a High-Court Scheme of arrangement
    • ADES International on its acquisition of 4 oil rigs under contract in KSA from Noble Corporation
    • ADES International on it acquisition of 7 oil rigs under contract in KSA
    • A Private Equity fund on its KSA merger control filing as a result of its acquisition of a global software business in Asia and KSA
    • Apave SA in its KSA merger control filing relating to its global acquisition of the Testing, Inspection and Certification business of the American Bureau of Shipping
    • A Private Equity fund on its KSA merger control filing as a result of its acquisition of an IT solution provider in India and US
    • A Private Equity fund on its KSA merger control filing as a result of its purchase of the banking software business in the MENA region
    • Frontline on its merger control filing relating to its proposed acquisition of another shipping entity
    • A Chinese genomic research facility and healthcare integrated solutions provider on its joint ventures and related merger control filings in KSA
    • Valaris PLC, on its KSA merger control application as a result of its under US Chapter 11 restructuring process
    • Alstom and Siemens on their KSA merger control filing as a result of their potential global merger of their mobility business streams *
    • Mylan, on its acquisition of Pfizer’s generic pharmaceutical business (Upjohn Inc) and the KSA merger control filings *
    • A global fertilizer supplier in relation to the KSA merger control filing following its South African acquisition
    • A global Swiss luxury jewelry brand in terms of its KSA merger filing resulting from the partial sale of its online market platform
    • Various entities apply for exemptions or non-objection from GAC, including for a lack of nexus or applicability of the law
    • Advised a KSA bottling company in relation to its operations and acquisitions in KSA, including its USD 900m acquisition in the Eastern region of KSA and acquisition of another facility *
    • Advised a KSA conglomerate acquiring an interest in 14 JVs from a major KSA entity selling its oil and gas platform *
    • Advised Wipro in relation to establishing JVs with Princess Noura University in order to establish a women’s business park, under the auspices of ARAMCO *
    • Advised Pfizer on the restructuring of its operations and business continuity issues *
    • Advising the Nusret restaurant group on its investments in KSA, including its JV with a KSA conglomerate *
    • Advising SF Express in its KSA JV and planned pan-GCC operations with a large KSA family-owned MNE, as well as ancillary commercial arrangements *
    • Advised Samsung on the conversion of its operations into a KSA company, increasing its share capital the intra-group sale of shares to its Dutch affiliate and operational/commercial aspects of the transaction in KSA, UAE and Netherlands *
    • Advised an Indian MNE in acquiring a chemical blending company and factories from ACWA Holdings and the subsequent sale and shareholder arrangements with another KSA investor *
    • Advised Ecolab on its major restructuring and subsequent acquisitions, JVs, commercial arrangements and general operations in KSA *
    • Advised on the EPC JV between Vision Energy Company and EMC Power (an Indian listed power company) *