Founded in 1911, Benelux firm Stibbe has its primary offices in Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg, as well as branches in Dubai, London and New York City. Its presence in Belgium dates to 1966 when the firm opened its Brussels office.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is recognised as one of the leading domestic names in the Benelux region and has strong transactional teams across the financial and corporate area.

In the banking and finance space the firm is known for advising mid-market and large-cap clients on complex financial restructurings connected with the investment, private equity, energy, IT and financial sectors.

The firm’s debt capital markets team often undertakes complex mandates within securitisation and covered bonds market such as Leaseplan’s first Belgian public car lease securitisation “BUMPER BE 01”.

In M&A the firm regularly represents both the buyers and sellers on high-profile Belgian domestic and cross-border deals.

Key clients

Key clients include BNP Paribas, Belfius Bank, Barclays, NatWest Markets, Deutsche Bank, Benelux Bank, Blackstone Group, ING, KBC, LBC Tank Terminals Group, Tikehau, Antwerp Port Authority, Numeca International, Picanol Group, Van Lanschot Kempen, Cegeka and Bencis Capital Partners.

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period the firm was active in banking and finance, capital markets and M&A.

The firm’s banking and finance team in Belgium was involved in acquisition finance, refinancing, project finance and banking deals for clients connected with the investment, financial, IT, private equity and energy sectors.

In capital markets the firm worked in complex asset-based financings and securitisations advising high profile mandates on both existing matters and new mandates.

The M&A team worked with corporate and private equity clients in a host of large deals for clients connected with the financial, IT, private equity, industrial, logistics, insurance and energy sectors.

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Blackstone Group acquisition of Desotec

BNP Paribas and ING €500 million DCM

Lone Star funds €800 million acquisition of the share capital of Manuchar NV

Numeca International €150 million sale to Cadence design systems