Marcus Davenport
Clayton Utz
Partner
Melbourne
Recognised as one of Australia's notable practitioners in Project Finance
– IFLR1000
Overview
Marcus Davenport's focus is on major projects, property development and general debt finance. Marcus has a proven track record having had lead roles on a variety of high profile, high value matters, including many large scale PPP projects, for both government and private sector clients, and for major financial institutions and large corporate borrowers. He is highly skilled in structuring and managing all aspects of large, complex projects.
Marcus' skills in debt finance extend to project, property and acquisition finance as well as general corporate commercial financing, unsecured and secured bilateral and syndicated lending arrangements.
Over his 25+ years at Clayton Utz, Marcus has built a reputation for his outstanding leadership skills and his ability to work collaboratively with project stakeholders. He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with large complex matters and his insights and experience help achieve excellent outcomes for clients.
Notable Work
- New Footscray Hospital PPP: Clayton Utz, with Marcus as lead partner, advised on all aspects of Plenary Health's winning bid for the New Footscray Hospital PPP Project, including on negotiations with the State, the financiers, equity providers, construction and services contracts. The transaction was the first social infrastructure project to be procured on the basis of the Victorian Governments standard form PPP contract. The project reached financial close in March 2021 and was the single largest health infrastructure investment in Victoria.
- Victorian Government - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF): Acted for DTF and DFFH on the 'Implementation of the Victorian Social Housing Growth Fund' and 'Implementation of Building the Financial Capacity of Housing Associations' projects, as part of the Victorian Government's social housing growth initiatives to build an affordable housing industry and support more partners in the delivery of new social and affordable housing and services. Currently acting for this client in the procurement of the Ground Lease Model 2 PPP which involves the private finance of 4 new residential towers to increase the supply of affordable and social housing in metropolitan Melbourne.
- High Capacity Metro Trains Project: Marcus led the legal team that advised the winning consortium (Plenary, Downer and CRRC) on this Victorian PPP for the procurement of at least 65 new high capacity metro trains at a cost in excess of $2.5 billion. These trains will be used on the corridor that includes the new Metro Tunnels that are currently under construction.
- Sydney Metro Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) Project | lead partner acting for a shortlisted consortium on this project to delivery new metro trains, stations, core rail systems and stabling and maintenance facilities for a part of the Sydney Metro project.
- Property Development Finance | Has acted for entities including Sandhurst Villawood entities, Development Victoria, Westpac, ANZ, National Australia Bank and Wingate Property Group on land acquisition and construction development projects and refinancing of same.
- New Perth Stadium | As lead partner advising the Westadium consortium on this $1 billion PPP to build a new Stadium in Perth, Marcus was responsible for the overall delivery of Westadium's successful bid to develop, finance and maintain the stadium. He continues to act for them during the operational phase of the project including in respect of refinancing the debt finance on the project.
- Frankston Hospital PPP | Lead partner advising the Plenary, Multiplex, Spotless consortium on their unsuccessful bid on this brownfield hospital PPP
- Victorian Desalination Plant PPP: Marcus advised Aquasure consortium on their successful bid and provided advice on contract administration issues during the construction and delivery phases of this PPP project. This has included the refinancing of significant Aquasure debt facilities.
- UTAS Student Accommodation Project: Lead partner advising the financier to the successful bidder in relation to the University of Tasmania's concession over a portfolio of purpose built student accommodation assets.
- Eastern Goldfields Prison Redevelopment PPP (West Australian State Solicitor's Office) [2011-2018]: Part of the team advising the Western Australian Government on this prison PPP project. Marcus evaluated the financial aspects of the shortlisted bidders' response to tender as well as advising on the ultimate State Project documents and downstream arrangements, including the debt, equity and securitised structure arrangements. Marcus also led the team in bringing the project to contractual and financial close and has continued to act for the State in respect of various refinancings of the Project during its operations phase.
Insights
Media release: Clayton Utz advises Evolution Rail on its $1.2 billion refinancing
20 Nov 2024 | Media Release
Read Insights
Deposit, Coposit or no-posit? The question posited by today's lenders in Australia's housing market
5 Jun 2024 | Article
Read Insights
Media release: Clayton Utz assists Homes Victoria in delivering major affordable housing project
15 Nov 2023 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: The Clayton Utz Foundation awards $50,000 Health Justice Partnership grant to WEstjustice Family Violence Early Intervention Legal Service
2 Nov 2022 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: Clayton Utz Foundation launches $50,000 Health Justice Partnership award
28 Mar 2022 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: Clayton Utz recognised for roles on two Deals of the Year at PFI Awards 2021
3 Mar 2022 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: Clayton Utz team advises Plenary on $1.5 billion New Footscray Hospital Project
29 Mar 2021 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: Clayton Utz sees new Virgin Australia take flight with completion of sale to Bain
20 Nov 2020 | Media Release
Read Insights
Media Release: Legal industry peers rate Clayton Utz highly in the latest Best Lawyers Australia list
29 Mar 2019 | Media Release
Read Insights
Clayton Utz named Legal Adviser of the Year at inaugural PPP Awards
1 Dec 2017 | Media Release
Read Insights
Clayton Utz projects receive high praise at the 2017 National Infrastructure Awards
19 May 2017 | Media Release
Read Insights
Clayton Utz congratulates clients shortlisted for global accolades at prestigious Partnership Awards
6 Mar 2017 | Media Release
Read Insights
Find other people to support you
Find People