Sandeep is a corporate partner specialising in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, with over 15 years' experience advising clients across the Middle East. He is a trusted adviser to UHNW individuals, family offices, funds, sovereign entities, global corporations and major regional businesses, assisting them in navigating complex, high‑stakes transactions.
His expertise covers cross border M&A, private equity and growth capital investments, foreign direct investment, joint ventures and general corporate advisory, with a particular focus on inbound matters involving clients from Asia and the United States. Sandeep is recognised for his commerciality, pragmatism and calm approach, especially in fast‑moving or sensitive deal environments. He has played pivotal roles in several landmark regional transactions and was listed in the inaugural Legal 500 Private Practice Powerlist for M&A in the Middle East and profiled in Asian Legal Business' MENA Super 50 List 2022.
Sandeep is regularly called upon to advise on high‑value matters involving sovereign‑owned entities and FTSE 100‑listed companies, including strategic joint ventures and foreign investment transactions.
His commentary on regional corporate issues in the MENA region has been featured in media such as The National and Dubai Eye’s “Business Breakfast” and he is co‑author of International Monetary and Financial Law – The Global Crisis, published by Oxford University Press.
Key Experience
- Advised the shareholders of leading global agribusiness Al Dahra on the sale of 50% of their business to a regional SWF
- Advised EnTrust Global’s Blue Ocean Funds on the corporate aspects of the financing of the acquisition of United Arab Chemical Carriers, the first merger of its kind to take place under the DIFC Companies Law - winner of IFLR Middle East M&A Deal of the Year 2021
- Advised on aspects of the collapse and restructuring of the Abraaj Group, advising the General Partner of the US$1bn Abraaj Growth Markets Healthcare Fund, and its directors, in relation to the restructuring and transfer of management of the fund to TPG (nominated as IFLR Middle East M&A Deal of the Year 2019), and the Abraaj Credit Fund
- Advised the Khayyat family on its USD 125m acquisition of interests in a KSA based industrial joint venture from Lafarge Holcim - winner of the Mergermarket Middle East Industrials & Chemicals M&A Legal Adviser of the Year 2017 Award
- Advised a sovereign owned UAE property developer on various complex real estate joint ventures
- Advised GEMS Education on the exit of Abraaj for approximately USD 200m
- Advised Amalgamated Holdings on the disposal of their stake in VOX Cinemas for USD 77m
- Advised Temasek-backed SATS on its USD18.4m disposal of its stake in a Saudi joint venture vehicle
- Regularly advises UHNW Asian families on their regional interests
- Regularly advises various leading US funds, and western retailers and brands on their arrangements within the UAE and GCC region
- Regularly advises leading companies in the betting and gaming industries on regional strategy
Career History
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Partner, Stephenson Harwood LLP
Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
King's College London, Law
Articles and Publications
- International Monetary and Financial Law – The Global Crisis, Co‑author (Oxford University Press)