Rhys Davies

Partner ESG & Impact
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

London +44 20 7469 2127

Rhys Davies

Practices

Overview

Rhys Davies is a partner in the ESG & Impact Practice Group in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Rhys has more than 15 years of ESG experience, including advising private equity firms, public companies and project sponsors in relation to the design and implementation of ESG strategies across a range of sectors, including energy and natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and technology.

Rhys' experience includes advising on sustainable finance disclosures (including pursuant to the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation), green taxonomies, sustainability reporting, climate change, biodiversity loss, human rights and responsible business practices. He has assisted clients to develop and review ESG-related governance measures, policies, strategies, metrics and disclosures in a number of jurisdictions under both mandatory and voluntary frameworks.

Rhys also has broad environmental and social regulatory experience, including in relation to environmental impact assessment, emissions licensing, contaminated land, natural resources, indigenous engagement and cultural heritage. He has represented clients in both transactional settings and proceedings before administrative decision-makers, panels, tribunals and superior courts.

In addition to his undergraduate qualifications, Rhys holds a postgraduate certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge and a FSA credential issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. Rhys is a former member of the Governance and Advisory Board for the Australian National Contact Point under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Since joining Kirkland, Rhys has worked on the following matters, advising:

  • Strategic Value Partners on the cash offer for Nordic Paper.
  • Gryphon Investors on the close of Vessco Water continuation fund.
  • Warburg Pincus on the investment in Aztec Group.
  • Warburg Pincus on the formation of its $4 billion inaugural capital solutions fund.
  • Arrow Global on the closing of a $400 million commitment from ADIA.
  • ECP (Energy Capital Partners) on the $6.7 billion final closing of its fifth flagship equity strategy, ECP V.
  • The Sterling Group on the $3.5 billion close of Sterling Group Partners VI.

Prior to joining Kirkland, Rhys worked on the following matters, advising:

  • A leading investment management firm focused on real assets in relation to implementation of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, including ESG strategies, pre-contractual disclosures, due diligence and asset management procedures.
  • A forestry and carbon-focused fund manager in relation to implementation of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, including pre-contractual disclosures, due diligence and asset management procedures.
  • A major European insurer and asset manager in relation to disclosures in accordance with the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation.
  • In relation to ESG due diligence for a merger to create a top-10 global gold producer.
  • Various project sponsors in relation to the implementation of the Equator Principles, the IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank EHS Guidelines.
  • Various energy, natural resources and infrastructure project sponsors participants in relation to their engagement with Indigenous peoples.
  • A government in Central Asia in relation to energy and natural resources law reform.

DLA Piper – London, United Kingdom and Perth/Melbourne, Australia, 2007–2023


More

Thought Leadership

Speaking Engagements

Moderator, “Climate strategy evolution for infrastructure investors,” PEI Infrastructure Investor Forum, September 12, 2024

Moderator, “Institutional investor outlook: what is driving allocation to impact funds for different types of LPs?” PEI’s Impact Investor Global Summit, May 15, 2024

Speaker, “Briefing on SEC’s Final Climate Disclosure Rules,” Kirkland Webinar, March 12, 2024

Moderator, “B-Corps and Private Equity: The Benefits and Challenges of Adopting a Purpose-driven Business Model,” PEI Responsible Investment Forum Europe, November 2023

Moderator, “How are investors leading the sustainability conversation?” PEI PERE Network America Forum, November 2023

Moderator, “Striving for the middle ground: ESG regulation is often criticised for either being too lax or too stringent. How are managers handling the absence of a happy medium?” Private Equity Wire European ESG Summit, October 2023

Panelist, “Re-assessing infrastructure funds’ approach to ESG,” Infrastructure Investor London Forum, September 2023

Memberships & Affiliations

Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

Member, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM)

Member, Association of International Energy Negotiators

Member, International Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association


Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2007, Admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia
  • 2007, Admitted to the High Court of Australia
  • 2023, District of Columbia
  • 2019, Alabama

Education

  • University of CambridgePostgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business2022
  • University of Western AustraliaBachelor of Laws2006
  • University of Western AustraliaBachelor of Arts(Hons)2006