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Mark is an experienced commercial lawyer with particular expertise advising clients in connection with energy and waste sector matters and complex commercial contract and trading matters.

Over the past 20 years he has advised a wide variety of clients, providing pragmatic, commercially-focused legal advice to clients at all times.

Mark’s experience in the energy sector includes advising funders, developers and operators in connection with energy infrastructure projects, waste and recycling schemes and energy sector related matters  .

He is recognised as a leading lawyer in his field and regularly presents on legal issues affecting the energy, and waste sectors.

Experience

Mark’s clients have included major multi-national organisations in the energy and waste industry sectors, energy intensive industrial consumers, equipment suppliers and contractors, project development businesses, and a variety of debt and equity funders.

During his career he has advised clients including GDF, Barclays, Lloyds, Iona Capital, , Northern Powergrid, Mitsubishi Chemicals, SABIC, Croda, Akzo Nobel, and Ineos.

In the renewables sector, his experience includes advising several project developers in connection with schemes in wind, solar PV, biogas, landfill gas, biomass and energy from waste technologies, as well as energy storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

In the conventional energy sector, Mark advises clients dealing with regulated electricity and gas supply matters, including gas trading agreements and electricity licence matters, maintenance and outsourcing arrangements.

He has been involved with some of the largest energy projects in the North of England, comprising approximately 3GW of energy plant development, across gas, wind, solar and EfW projects.

Outside of Ward Hadaway, Mark acts as a non-executive director for a number of energy development projects, and advises an infrastructure fund as part of their investment team.

What people say

  • We principally work with Mark Whitehead, who has a good understanding of our business, the renewables sector and our portfolio generally. The firm is able to complement the wider advisory team we use across the business

    Legal 500, client quote
  • Principal partners I have worked with are Mark Whitehead and Matt Cormack. Both Matt and Mark are involved in all aspects of our relationship and transactions, and are extremely hands on. Having this level of senior involvement really helps progress the matters at hand. Both Matt and Mark are adept at focusing in on the key issues and providing diligent advice in a manner that benefits both their clients, but also the progress of the particular transaction as a whole.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Mark Whitehead's clear thinking, practical commercial approach, combines with his experience and knowledge of the market to make him an asset on any project. His expertise is supported by a group of his specialist colleagues from across the firm who provide the same high quality service to ensure a successful outcome for all concerned.

    Matthew Flint, Director, JFS Associates
  • I have worked with Mark on a number of complicated transactions and I have always been extremely pleased with the support I have received. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities to work together in the future.

    Gerard Armstrong, Commercial Director, Sembcorp
  • He has a good lateral understanding of the energy sector and has been a tremendous help on both complex project development and high risk clean technology deals.

    Andy Williamson, Business Development Director, Shepherd Offshore Limited
  • Mark is an experienced legal professional with a keen knowledge of the energy and natural resources sector. Commercial and focussed, he is a strong partner for any transaction.

    Chris Stott, Partner, KPMG
  • Mark delivers full detailed understanding of the legal issues. He got to grips with the concerns of the board in a timely and expert manner.

    Colin Proudfoot, Finance Director, Martel Instruments Limited

My insights