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Sebastien Bonneau

Partner

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Languages: English, French, Spanish

Sebastien’s experience significantly bolsters Eversheds Sutherland’s capability to advise clients in the fast growing data centre and digital infrastructure sector.
With a focus on M&A and Private Equity matters, he adds a further layer of knowledge to the group, working as co-leader to grow Eversheds Sutherland’s international Data Centre and Digital Infrastructure practice which is one of just a few specialist teams in this area.

For over 20 years, Sebastien has built a formidable transactional practice, advising on international M&A, private equity, and joint-venture transactions. He also developed a strong reputation in Europe and the US as growth and innovation expert, advising entrepreneurs in their development across geographies through internal growth and innovation, strategic M&A, fundraisings, and strategic partnerships with blue-chips. 

Sebastien qualified in 2001 with CMS, before joining Winston & Strawn in 2006. In 2012, he founded AYNFG, an independent legal practice in Paris, with additional presence in the UK, US and Hong Kong. Sebastien is tri-lingual, speaking English, French and Spanish. He is a Solicitor of England and Wales, having originally qualified in France, and is based in Eversheds Sutherland’s London office.

Sebastien is client partner for some of most respected players in the data centre industry. Sebastien’s recent market-leading transactions include:

  • advising a leading data centre owner and operator on the M&A acquisition of a data centre campus in Europe, for a total capacity of 22.5 MW
  • advising a leading data centre owner and operator on the acquisition of a real estate asset in Europe for the development of a data center campus
  • advising a leading data centre owner and operator on the commercialisation of data centre services in France, Spain, and Italy, opposite a hyperscaler, for a total capacity of 24 MW
  • advising a leading data centre owner and operator on the commercialisation of data centre services in Sweden and Italy, opposite a hyperscaler
  • advising a group of syndicated lenders on a 140m€ facility for the development of a data center in Ireland, for a total capacity of 16 MW
  • advising an investment fund on a £900m joint venture with a leading data centre owner and operator for the development of a data centre in Germany, for a total capacity of 38 MW
  • advising an investment bank on its participation into a £600m syndicated facility for the development of a data centre in the UK, for a total capacity of 62 MW
  • advising a hyperscaler on the negotiation of a security package – including SANDS/Direct agreements, in relation to a syndicated facility for the development of a data centre in Ireland, for a total capacity of 32 MW
  • advising a hyperscaler on a data centre services agreement in Norway, for a total capacity of 260 MW
  • advising a hyperscaler on a data centre services agreement in Ireland, for a total capacity of 32 MW

Sebastien also advised US R.E.I.T. Digital Realty (NYSE) from 2006 to 2012 on the development of their activities in France, and assisted Data4 with the design of their standard contractual documentation for the growth of a portfolio of 20+ data centres in Europe in 8 years, which includes one of the largest campuses in Europe, in Marcoussis, France.

Other long lasting clients of Sebastien are listed companies such as Credit Agricole Group, Sol Group, or the French fintech unicorn Spendesk, for which he is regularly involved in M&A, private equity, and joint venture transactions. For example, Sebastien recently advised Sol Group (Milan, Sol SpA) in the acquisition of Air Liquide’s (CAC 40, Ai.PA) activities in Greece.

  • 'Recommended’, The Legal 500, London: Venture Capital, 2024
  • Pro Bono Award, Paris Bar, 2021
  • ‘Recommended’ or ‘Highly Recommended’ in M&A and Corporate Venture (2019, 2020, 2021), Leaders League’ Legal Awards
    ‘Rising Team’ in 2017 and ‘Rising Star’ in 2013, Leaders League’ Legal Awards

Sebastien’s core industry expertise includes data centres, real estate, health care, tech start-ups, energy and media. He advised a wide range of clients in multiple sectors, including:

  • data centres: major data centre industry owners and operators, customers, and investors, with the acquisition, financing, development, and commercialization of sites across the world
  • real estate: first tier financial institutions in the sale of real estate assets portfolios of value ranging from 100m€ to 300m€; multiple lease negotiations
  • health care: investment funds and industry key players in the structuring and implementation of build-ups across Europe
  • start-ups: on hundreds of matters dealing with seed, Series A and B rounds, sale and purchase, financing, joint ventures and corporate venturing, acceleration, innovation and other commercial contracts, including for tech start-ups, across Europe and the US
  • energy: first tier industrial groups in multi-hundred million M&A, JV, PPP and IPO deals in Europe, Australia and South America
  • media: first tier global companies in their expansion across the US and Western Africa
  • HEC Paris, Executive MBA, 2012
  • Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Innovative Management and Entrepreneurial Leadership, 2012
  • University of Paris V, Masters of Laws (Hons), European Business Law, 2000
  • University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, Masters of Laws, Business Law, 1999
  • University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, Bachelor of Laws and Political Science, 1998
  • Solicitor (England and Wales), 2022
  • Avocat au barreau de Paris (France), 2001
Sebastien Bonneau

Partner

Sebastien Bonneau

Partner

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