Alan Cunningham

Alan is a leading UK asset finance lawyer focusing on aviation, shipping, equipment finance, receivables, automotive, and defense. He advises on high-end transactional mandates and financings, as well as broader aviation, marine, and financial services matters.

Prior to joining Hunton Andrews Kurth, Alan led the asset finance teams at EY Law and DLA Piper. He began his career as an aviation finance and leasing lawyer at large international law firms in London, Hong Kong, and Paris, then later broadened his practice to include ship, rail, and equipment finance, leasing, automotive, and energy assets. Alan also acts on  receivables funding structures, particularly for private credit institutions including the sale and purchase of asset finance and other lease and loan books, forward flow receivables deals, and non-capital markets securitization work.

Alan is consistently ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading lawyer in his field. Chambers & Partners quotes clients who call Alan “the very best lawyer specializing in business and private aviation,” noting that he is “great at negotiating,” “firm, fair and diligent,” and “very savvy and skilled at putting everyone at ease.”

• Aviation – Commercial. Advised Triton private credit on multiple mezzanine financings of Boeing and Airbus aircraft and discreet engine facilities for TUI, Transavia, and Croatia Airlines.
• Aviation – Rotary. Acted on the acquisition, leasing, and financing of air ambulances, police helicopters, rotary fleets in the energy sector, aerial filming, and VIP helicopters.
• Corporate Jets. Represented many corporates and HNWIs on the sale, acquisition, and financing of private jets including Sir James Dyson, The Related Companies, and Elisabeth Murdoch.
• Marine – Passenger. Advised Barclays on the refinancing of Ro-Ro ferries for P&O. Also advised Serco Group PLC on its refinancing of the Northern Isles ferry fleet and on its bid to operate the Western Isles ferry service.
• Marine – Nearshore. Acted on the financing of offshore and nearshore vessels in the windfarm, oil and gas, mining, and port construction sectors including the world’s largest dredger, Bibby Line’s Wavemaster, crew transfer vessels, transshipment vessels, accommodation vessels, pipe laying barges, anchor handling tugs, and platform supply vessels.
• Defence – Marine. Acted for the UK Ministry of Defence on the £2bn design, build, and supply of three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for the supply of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
• Defence – Aviation. Acted for Serco Group PLC on the lease financing of eight King Air 200 aircraft for training military pilots at RAF Cranfield.
• Rail. Advised Serco Group PLC on the £150m design, build, and supply of rolling stock and locomotives for the Scottish Sleeper rail service.
• Energy. Advised HSBC and NatWest on the £94m financing of 12 peaking plants using containerized gensets to generate immediate power for the UK grid under the UK Capacity Market Mechanism.
• IT Financing. Acted for Lenovo Group on the roll out of its IT equipment finance lease product in Australia, India, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US.
• Bank Documentation. Drafted standard form aviation, marine, and equipment finance and leasing documents for Barclays, Close Brothers, Investec, Paragon Banking Group, and NatWest.
• Forward Flow Receivables – Real Estate. Acted for LCM Partners on forward flow private credit facilities with respect to real estate bridge lending in the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK.
• Forward Flow Receivables – Consumer. Advised LCM Partners on a £400m forward flow facility with NewDay in relation to high yield consumer loans. Also advised Tiple Point Private Credit on a forward flow mezzanine facility to fund small business credit card receivables for Cap on Tap.
• Portfolio Acquisition and NPLs. Advised LCM Partners on the acquisition of the GE Equipment Finance book in the UK and The Funding Corporation on its acquisition of Abbey’s block discounting book and subsequent sale of that book to NatWest.