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We are delighted that Philip Ascroft and Luke Ford have been recognised in NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers 2024 report.
Most Influential Lawyers 2024 recognises 24 lawyers, across diverse areas of law for their extraordinary impact on the legal landscape and the people they represent, each driving change and progress in their field.
Partner, Luke Ford, is recognised for his outstanding contribution to business. As one of New Zealand’s leading financial markets and regulation lawyers, Luke is heavily involved in initiatives to develop New Zealand’s capital markets, financial regulation and sustainable finance practices – encouraging international best practices while building on New Zealand’s existing advantages. This also translates to the deals he assists with, which frequently help bring New Zealand to global markets and vice versa.
In the last 18 months Luke has advised on many of the largest and most innovative transactions in the New Zealand financial markets.
Chief Executive Partner, Pip England said, “Luke is one of New Zealand’s leading debt capital markets lawyers, known for his technical skillset, commercial advice and in-depth knowledge of sustainable finance and other debt and financial markets transactions. He leads a significant proportion of all bond offers across the New Zealand market, and recently advised on one of the country’s largest loan portfolio sales and securitisation deals as well as an innovative, first-of-its-kind, solar finance programme.”
Luke regularly authors articles and publications, including recent benchmark publications, The banking industry: A look ahead and Investing for Impact – Trends & Insights. He often speaks at conferences and has appeared as a finance law expert in leading media.
Senior Associate, Philip Ascroft, is recognised as a Young Influencer, a lawyer aged 40 or under who has had an extraordinary impact on the profession or society.
Philip specialises in corporate and securities law with a particular focus on equity capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. With experience on many of New Zealand's most significant initial public offerings (IPOs) and other equity capital markets transactions, Philip acts for issuers, arrangers and underwriters on all aspects of IPOs and capital raisings.
Partner, Rachel Dunne, said “Philip is an integral part of our market-leading equity capital markets team. He has invaluable critical thinking and analytical skills, supported by a thoughtful and considerate approach. Our clients regularly praise Philip’s expertise and insight.” Philip is a trusted advisor and is often asked to share his insights with the industry. He moderated a panel discussion at the Jarden & Chapman Tripp 2023 Capital Markets Forum, has appeared on the Sharesies Shared Lunch podcast, and presented at the 2023 Fonterra Governance Development Programme.
Philip also contributes through volunteer work. He was recently appointed to the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Board, a non-profit membership organisation designed to advocate, represent and inform retail shareholders, as an associate director. In 2023 Philip raised over $1,000 for the SPCA through the “Jump to the Rescue” skydiving fundraiser.
