John Kicken
Partner
London
John Kicken
Partner
London
Contact details
John is a US qualified partner in the London office and specializes in high yield bonds and leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, recapitalizations, restructurings and liability management. He has extensive experience advising corporate issuers, financial sponsors, investment banks and private credit funds on high yield covenants and US securities law matters.
John is highly regarded in European high yield (Chambers) and recognized as a Leading Lawyer – Highly Regarded (IFLR1000) and a Leading Individual (Legal 500). Clients describe him as "a standout and among the best", "a trusted sounding board for all things high yield", "a go-to for dissecting the most complex high yield covenant issues", "extremely knowledgeable" and "very engaged and commercial" (Chambers and Legal 500).
John led the team that won High Yield Team of the Year at the IFLR Europe Awards in 2022. His deals have been shortlisted for, and awarded, High Yield Deal and Loan Deal of the Year on several occasions, including Altice France, Boparan, Douglas, Empark, Flora Food Group, Hunkemöller, IHO Holding, KCA Deutag, Norgine, Theramex and Titan.
Qualifications
Professional
Academic
LLM, Harvard Law School, 2007
Fulbright Scholar
LLM, Leiden Law School, 2006
ValedictorianNoteworthy experience
- Altice France – Advising the initial purchasers on EUR8.1 billion of high yield bond issuances, EUR3.0 billion of high yield bond exchanges and EUR6.9 billion of loan refinancings for Altice France.
- Hunkemöller – Advising Parcom, Opportunity Partners and other co-investors on the EUR390 million financing for the acquisition of Hunkemöller from Carlyle, as well as the subsequent EUR272.5 million debut high yield bond issuance.
- Emeria – Advising the initial purchasers on the EUR2.4 billion loan and debut high yield bond refinancing for Partners Group-owned Emeria (formerly Foncia), as well as the subsequent EUR400 million follow-on high yield bond issuance.
- KCA Deutag – Advising KCA Deutag on USD2.3 billion of high yield bond issuances and a USD2 billion high yield restructuring.
- Eviosys – Advising the initial purchasers on the EUR1.8 billion loan and debut high yield bond financing for KPS Capital Partners' acquisition of Eviosys (formerly Titan) from Crown Holdings.
- Schaeffler – Advising IHO Holding on EUR4.4 billion of high yield bond issuances and Schaeffler on EUR1.5 billion of high yield bond issuances.
- Renk – Advising the initial purchasers on the EUR540 million loan and debut high yield bond financing for Triton's acquisition of Renk from Volkswagen, and Renk's subsequent EUR200 million follow-on high yield bond issuance for its acquisition of a division of L3Harris.
- SIG – Advising SIG plc on its EUR300m debut high yield bond issuance.
- Upfield – Advising the initial purchasers on the EUR4.1 billion loan and debut high yield bond financing for KKR's acquisition of Upfield (formerly Flora Food Group) from Unilever.
- Douglas – Advising the initial purchasers on the EUR2.0 billion loan and debut high yield bond financing for CVC's acquisition of Douglas from Advent.
Related articles
News: 21 September 2023
A&O advises Boels on its inaugural EUR400 million high yield bond issuance
Allen & Overy has advised Boels on its inaugural high yield bond issuance comprising EUR400 million 6.250% senior secured notes due 2029.
News: 12 September 2023
Qualifications
Professional
Academic
LLM, Harvard Law School, 2007
Fulbright Scholar
LLM, Leiden Law School, 2006
ValedictorianRecognition
John is a standout and among the best.
Chambers 2022
John is highly regarded in European high yield.
Chambers 2022
John is a trusted sounding board for all things high yield.
Chambers 2022
John is a go-to for dissecting the most complex high yield covenant issues.
Chambers 2022
