John Buttanshaw

John Buttanshaw

Partner | Co-Head of ESG & Impact

John is a Partner of our Operational Risk and Environment Group.

John is a Partner in, and leads, our Operational Risk & Environment Department. A recognised leader in environment and climate change law, John also regularly advises on a range of other 'real world' compliance and risk management matters - from human rights, safety and welfare through to business ethics and financial crime. 

A true expert in the field, John advises on contentious and non-contentious matters across the spectrum of environmental, safety, planning and sector specific regulatory laws. On the non-contentious side, John has particular expertise in permitting and licensing on major energy and infrastructure projects, where his cross-function regulatory capability is invaluable. John also has extensive experience in areas including product and chemical compliance, safety risk management and climate change regulation. On the contentious side, John has worked on matters ranging from major Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive enforcement actions through to cross-border product recalls and product liability claims.

In addition to his environment and regulatory practice, John has extensive experience in advising clients (particularly in the investment sector) on an array of wider risk and governance matters. These range from anti-bribery and corruption, modern slavery and other business ethics issues, through to export controls, sanctions and market access considerations.

This 'real world' regulatory expertise underpins John's ESG practice. John is chair of the firm's ESG Corporate & Transactions sub-committee and advises a number of leading global organisations on compliance with existing and emergent ESG regulation with respect to reporting (including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and supply chain risk (including preparation for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and sector-focused controls relating to batteries, forestry, and other high-risk areas).

John is recognised across the leading directories in environmental law, including as a 'Rising Star' in The Legal 500 (Environment).

Selected deals & experience

Meta on compliance with environmental and safety requirements in relation to its global fibre programme and other business priority areas

KFC on various ESG-focused compliance initiatives and projects

A leading international extractives business on a multi-site investigation into legacy contamination risk

Micro Focus International on various trading compliance issues, and on review of their policies and procedures on corporate governance, anti-bribery and corruption, expenses, sanctions and export controls

Various US-based manufacturing businesses on market access considerations in the UK and EU, including product regulatory requirements

Ancala Partners on the acquisition of a 50% interest in Dragon LNG Group, owner of one of the three LNG regasification terminals in the UK

BOC on green gas acquisition and trading arrangements, and compliance with the Renewable Fuel Transport Obligation

BUUK, the last mile infrastructure developer, on a range of regulatory matters including in relation to fibre, water, electricity and hydrogen developments

Breedon Group plc on the acquisition of certain UK assets and operations from Cemex, the Mexican multinational building materials company

Ancala Midstream Acquisitions Limited on the environmental aspects of the Scottish Area Gas Evacuation system pipeline and the Beryl gas pipeline and related onshore gas refinery

Arjun Infrastructure Partners on the purchase of eight solar farms in the UK from Basalt Infrastructure Partners

Ancala Partners and Biogen on the regulatory aspects of the acquisition of seven anaerobic digestion plants in the UK

Bluegreen Energy on its establishment as a new electricity and gas supplier in the UK, including regulatory obligations, green energy trading arrangements, and related matters

Xoserve in relation to the creation, carve-out and sale of Correla to NorthEdge

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