Yann Beckers
Partner
Yann Beckers is a leading finance expert renowned for his strategic insight and practical solutions in complex structured finance transactions.
Partner
Yann Beckers is a leading finance expert renowned for his strategic insight and practical solutions in complex structured finance transactions.
Languages - French, English, German
Jurisdiction - France
Yann Beckers advises a broad spectrum of clients in the banking and private debt sector, including leading international banks, financial institutions, investment funds, and private equity firms. Based in Paris, he supports clients involved in domestic and cross-border financing transactions, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes. Yann’s client base spans senior and mezzanine lenders, borrowers, and stakeholders seeking expert guidance on acquisition finance, leveraged buyouts, real estate finance, and innovative funds finance solutions.
Yann provides strategic, practical advice throughout every stage of the financing process. He assists clients with structuring and negotiating acquisition and LBO finance, arranging equity bridge and NAV financing, and managing real estate and asset finance transactions. By collaborating closely with colleagues in M&A, Private Equity, Fund’s Formation, Real Estate, and Tax, Yann ensures seamless deal execution and helps clients achieve efficient, reliable outcomes - even in the most challenging and innovative transactions.
Recognised for his exceptional negotiation skills and client-focused approach, Yann Beckers is ranked as “Excellent” in Décideurs Corporate Finance Guide 2024 and is praised by The Legal 500 EMEA for his technical competence and personable manner. His deep expertise in banking and structured finance, combined with a commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs, makes him a trusted advisor for those seeking to succeed in the dynamic Paris financial market.
Financing the acquisition of a French listed French company
Advised Zydus Lifesciences Limited on the structuring, negotiation, execution, and utilisation of a €400 million facility arranged by BNP Paribas. The facility was used to finance the acquisition of a controlling stake in Amplitude Chirurgicale, a French listed company, refinance the target group’s existing indebtedness, and guarantee the launch of a public tender offer for the remaining shares. This matter demonstrates our experience in cross-border acquisition finance, public M&A, and complex refinancing transactions, addressing common client needs such as seamless deal execution, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management.
Financing of infrastructure company
Advised Prizz Holding and Quaero Capital on the negotiation and signing of a €42 million club deal financing to support the development of Prizz’s high-performance fibre optic network. This transaction showcases our expertise in infrastructure financing and digital transformation projects, helping clients secure tailored funding solutions to drive growth and innovation in the telecommunications sector.
LBO financing for a private equity sponsor
Advised Andera Partners on the financing of the acquisition of the Pégase Group, as well as its first external growth transaction with the acquisition of Aléo, through a syndicated bank facility. This matter highlights our expertise in acquisition finance and supporting clients through both initial investments and subsequent growth strategies, ensuring seamless execution and optimal financing structures for private equity transactions.
Mezzanine debt financing in the context of a sponsorless LBO
Advised a private mezzanine lender on the implementation of a €35 million PIK mezzanine bond as part of a senior LBO transaction. This involved complex intercreditor negotiations to protect the rights of mezzanine creditors and the structuring of a common security package shared between senior and mezzanine creditors. This matter demonstrates our expertise in structuring layered financing solutions and managing intricate creditor relationships to safeguard client interests in leveraged buyout transactions.
Renegotiation of senior unitranche debt
Advised senior bondholders on the renegotiation of a €100 million unitranche secured financing, including adjustments to financial covenants and the implementation of an equity cure by the sponsor. This matter highlights our ability to support clients in complex debt restructurings, ensuring the protection of creditor rights while facilitating practical solutions to maintain financial stability and support ongoing business operations.
Fund finance – equity bridge financing
Advising several French management companies on the negotiation, arrangement, and syndication of equity bridge financings provided by major French banks for their investment funds in France and Luxembourg. Our support covers funds dedicated to private debt, private equity, secondary investments, infrastructure, global technology, sustainable investments, as well as related staff funds and ad-hoc parallel funds. This longstanding assistance, which began in 2015, demonstrates our deep expertise in fund financing solutions and our commitment to helping clients access flexible capital to support diverse investment strategies and respond to evolving market demands.
Fund Finance – NAV financing
Advising a major French bank on the structuring, negotiation, and implementation of NAV (net asset value) financing to cover foreign exchange hedging liabilities for a French feeder fund investing in a Luxembourg main infrastructure fund. This included taking security over the units of the Luxembourg fund. This matter showcases our expertise in innovative fund financing structures and cross-border transactions, enabling clients to manage currency risks effectively while securing robust collateral arrangements.
Real estate finance - secured private placement with “double luxco structure”
Advised a UK-based real estate investment fund on the structuring, negotiation, and implementation of a secured private placement arranged by a US private debt lender to finance the construction of an outlet centre in Normandy. The transaction involved implementing a complex "double Luxco structure" and innovative escrow solutions to address the absence of a French banking licence for the private debt lender. This matter demonstrates our expertise in cross-border real estate finance, creative structuring, and regulatory compliance, enabling clients to access international funding and deliver complex development projects.
Asset Finance – secured bond issuance with fiducie
Advising a private debt lender on the structuring and implementation of asset-backed financing to support the purchase of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units for subsequent leasing. The financing was secured by a French fiducie over the shares of the company leasing the financed engines. This matter highlights our expertise in aviation finance, asset-backed lending, and the use of innovative security structures to protect lender interests and facilitate complex leasing transactions.
Regulatory
Advising the French branch of a foreign bank on regulatory matters related to the transfer of all its regulated French banking activities to a UK affiliate. Our assistance included guidance on French banking licence requirements and interactions with the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR). This matter demonstrates our expertise in cross-border banking regulation and our ability to support clients through complex regulatory transitions and licensing processes.
