Christian Owen specialises in made-to-measure solutions for complex corporate transactions.
From domestic or cross-border mergers and acquisitions, fund raising, governance and head office advisory issues to providing corporate and commercial law guidance, Christian finds the right solution for his mix of public and private company and private investment scheme clients.
Born and based in Western Australia, Christian has both an innate and studied understanding of the natural resources and mining services industries. In addition to his expertise in all facets of corporate law, he has further skill in the agricultural, venture capital and private equity sectors.
Results orientated and cognisant of the drivers behind each deal, Christian has made a career both in a London magic circle firm and in Australia, collaborating with companies to face their legal challenges head on.
Christian is a guest lecturer at the University of Western Australia (Masters Course M&A).
Christian is Partner in Charge of the Perth office.
Key deals
Private M&A transactions
Acting on various private company business acquisitions and divestments including advising:
- ASX-listed civil and mining services company NRW Holdings Limited on its acquisitions of Fredon, Hughes Drilling business, Golding Group of companies and RCR Tomlinson’s mining technologies and heat treatment businesses;
- Craig Mostyn Group on its acquisition of V&V Walsh and Patmore Feeds;
- The shareholders of Kerman Contracting on its sale to Monadelphous; and
- Perseus on the sale of its Sudanese mining project.
Public M&A transactions
Advising public companies on change of control transactions (including takeovers and schemes of arrangement) including advising:
- Azure Minerals Limited on its proposed joint acquisition by Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd for ~A$1.70 billion, by way of a dual scheme of arrangement and takeover bid structure;
- Capricorn Metals Limited on its proposed acquisition of Warriedar Resources Limited by way of a recommended scrip for scrip scheme of arrangement;
- Perseus Mining Limited on its proposed unsolicited offer to acquire all shares in Predictive Discovery Limited that it did not already own;
- Australian Vanadium on its acquisition of Technology Metals Australia by way of a recommended scrip for scrip scheme of arrangement; and
- NRW Holdings Limited on its successful takeover offer for Primero Group Limited.
ECM
- Acting for issuers, underwriters, sub-underwriters and strategic and institutional investors on various equity capital markets transactions including placements, entitlements offers, initial public offerings and dual listings as well as capital management initiatives such as buy backs and dividend reinvestment plans;
- Advising on alternative funding structures in the energy and resources industry; and
- Advising on various royalty and metals streaming arrangements for companies such as Wheaton Precious Metals, Trident Royalties and Deterra Royalties.
Takeovers Panel
Appearing for parties in the Takeovers Panel including matters involving Finders Resources Limited, Tap Oil Limited, Yancoal Australia Limited, Minemakers Limited, NGM Resources Limited and Midwest Corporation Limited.