John Houghton

Experience: Sponsors / Companies: Prezzo Restaurants, representation of a large UK casual dining chain in its landmark Part 26A restructuring plan involving the compromise of landlord claims, tax and local authority debts and other secured and unsecured creditor claims.; ALMC, formerly Straumur-Burdaras, the largest investment bank in Iceland prior to the financial collapse in 2008 with assets of roughly 7 billion.; Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation (AAC) on the acquisition of The Grosvenor House Hotel, a London-based hotel that offers hospitality and lodging services.; Avangardco, one of largest agro-industrial companies in Ukraine, on the restructuring of its high yield notes issued by its Cypriot subsidiary.; Bibby Offshore, a leading offshore service provider to the oil and gas industry, in relation to the restructuring of its high yield notes.; Bluebrook Limited, holding company of IMO Car Wash group, a UK-based chain of conveyer car washes, in the restructuring of multiple classes of debt.; The sponsor, Netherlands based BXR Group in relation to the restructuring of New World Resources, one of Central Europe's leading hard coal producers.; The largest privately owned Ukrainian energy company, DTEK, in connection with an English law scheme of arrangement of its Dutch subsidiary (DTEK Finance B.V.), a finance vehicle incorporated to issue New York law governed notes and the first time a U.S. law governed bond had its governing law changed to English law.; Dubai Financial Support Fund and the Government of Dubai in the financial restructuring of Dubai World and its subsidiaries. This matter was named Restructuring Deal of the Year by Acquisitions Monthly magazine and Deal of the Year in International Financial Law Review's Middle East Awards.; Gallery Media Group, the second largest outdoor advertising operator in Russia and the Ukraine, in its cross-border debt restructuring and the first scheme of arrangement in respect of a Russian company.; Preem Petroleum, a subsidiary of Corral Petroleum Holdings, in connection with its debt restructuring.; Privatbank, one of the largest banks in the Ukraine, on the financial restructuring of two sets of its notes via a UK scheme of arrangement.; Thomas Cook, a global travel business, during its compulsory liquidation, in relation to its restructuring, refinancing and the preparation of a scheme of arrangement to allow the implementation of a debt-for-equity swap.; Werner Ladders, a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of ladders, following its exit from chapter 11 to include subsequent global acquisitions and eventual sale to a private equity buyer in 2018.; Creditors and Creditors' Committees: Acted for Growler Mining Tuscaloosa, LLC, the fulcrum creditor in the landmark financial restructuring of Argo Blockchain PLC. The restructuring was implemented by way of a Part 26A Restructuring Plan, enabling Argo to retain its Nasdaq listing despite being the plan company under the Restructuring Plan.; The ad hoc committee of bondholders of ESFG, a Luxembourg company and part of the failed Banco Espirito Santo banking group in relation to various potentially challengeable transactions and asset tracing opportunities.; Intermediate Capital Group, together with the other mezzanine lenders, in connection with the restructuring of Biffa, a UK-based waste management group.; The A1 Investment Company in connection with the acquisition of and loan to CEDC. This transaction was named Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year at the M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards 2013 and Global Finance Deal of the Year: Restructuring (Europe) at the American Lawyer Awards 2014.; The ad hoc group of holders and the lenders in connection with the financial restructuring of Folli Follie, a Greek-based international designer and manufacturing company.; The mezzanine lenders' committee in connection with the restructuring of Gate Gourmet.; The ad hoc committee of bank lenders in connection with the financial restructuring of Mriya, a major Ukrainian agricultural business.; The institutional noteholders in the consensual debt restructuring of MyTravel plc.; The senior lenders and agent in connection with the protective shield and insolvency plan proceedings over German automotive supplier Neumayer Tekfor.; The ad hoc committee of PIK lenders to Panrico S.A., a Spanish manufacturer of bread and pastry products.; KKR Asset Management Europe, as DIP lender to the UK administrators, in connection with the restructuring of Petroplus, an independent oil refinery.; The senior committee of noteholders formed by the Association of British Insurers in relation to negotiations with Punch Taverns to restructure its debt.; The ad hoc committee of bondholders in connection with the restructuring of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A., an Italy-based multimedia directories publisher and information search services provider. This matter was named Restructuring Deal of the Year by IFLR Europe.; The mezzanine lenders to Vita Group, a manufacturer of industrial polymers, with mezzanine financing, which involved negotiating a complex package of security measures with the trustees of the Group's two defined benefit pension plans.; Insolvency Practitioners: Various parties in relation to the homologation restructuring of Abengoa, the Spanish multinational energy giant.; The Lehman administrators on priorities of claims in the liquidation and settling various litigation cases to the benefit of the Lehman estate.; The Liquidator in High Court proceedings against Montvale's former director and an affiliated company.; The above representations were handled by Mr. Houghton prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.