Jim Bell
UK Guide 2025
Band 2 : Asset Finance: Aviation Finance
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7814 8228Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by Jim Bell
Practice Areas
Jim has significant experience in advising financiers, lessors and operators on structured and asset finance, with the majority of his practice focussed on the aviation industry. He has advised on many of the most innovative, complex and high-profile structured and asset finance transactions in the market, including over 20 ‘Deal of the Year’ award-winning transactions.
Jim’s experience includes debt finance, export finance, operating leasing, PDP finance, portfolio transfers, portfolio and warehouse financing, tax leasing products, debt capital markets products, Islamic finance, helicopter finance, business jet finance, engine finance, OEM purchase agreements, restructurings, regulatory and a range of corporate and commercial matters.
In 2023, Jim was highly recommended by both Chambers and Legal 500 for asset finance, with the latter noting that he is “bright, very commercial and pragmatic” and “is a very smart deal-maker; if there is a problem that requires an innovative solution then he is the one to turn to”. The Airfinance Journal also notes that “Jim has acted on some of the most innovative deals in the market and is very popular with clients for his depth of knowledge and commercial approach.”
Chambers Review
UK
Jim Bell is global co-head of aviation at the firm. He has notable experience working on structured and asset finance transactions and advises on the acquisition and financing of aircraft.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Jim is our go-to partner. He is accessible, commercial and an excellent problem solver."
"He is a fountain of knowledge on all things aviation finance and is the first person I go to with questions."
"Jim is our go-to partner. He is accessible, commercial and an excellent problem solver."
"He is a fountain of knowledge on all things aviation finance and is the first person I go to with questions."
Articles, highlights and press releases
3 items provided by Watson Farley & Williams
WFW advises on industry-changing AWG carbon calculator
Using original equipment manufacturer source data provided by Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Embraer, the ACC will generate and compare carbon dioxide emissions data for aircraft and aircraft portfolios.
WFW advises Macquarie Bank on first of its kind shipping loan/lease securitisation for Fleetscape
Securitisation principles and certain structuring efficiencies were utilised to enable Fleetscape to offer sale-and-leaseback or unitranche financing on highly competitive terms.
PE in aviation: don’t forget your kit!
This article explores the growing interest from private equity in the aviation sector as airlines, lessors and financiers seek to consolidate their position as a result of the turmoil caused by Covid-19.
WFW advises on industry-changing AWG carbon calculator
Using original equipment manufacturer source data provided by Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Embraer, the ACC will generate and compare carbon dioxide emissions data for aircraft and aircraft portfolios.
WFW advises Macquarie Bank on first of its kind shipping loan/lease securitisation for Fleetscape
Securitisation principles and certain structuring efficiencies were utilised to enable Fleetscape to offer sale-and-leaseback or unitranche financing on highly competitive terms.
PE in aviation: don’t forget your kit!
This article explores the growing interest from private equity in the aviation sector as airlines, lessors and financiers seek to consolidate their position as a result of the turmoil caused by Covid-19.
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