Mergers & Acquisitions
Deal Structuring & Syndication
Engineer terms. Secure commitments. Control risk.
Deal Structuring & Syndication is a practice-led premium advisory service under M&A & Capital. Handle structures transactions and syndication frameworks that align commitments to control, governance and downside protection — so capital deploys with clarity and enforceability.
When this is needed
M&A Deal Structure in the UAE: where the mandate begins.
- A transaction is agreed in principle, and the structure will decide who holds control and who carries risk.
- Several investors or lenders must participate, and their rights and obligations must be aligned in one framework.
- Equity, debt or hybrid instruments must be combined without losing decision rights.
- Documentation must be precise, enforceable and closing-ready under time pressure.
Matters Handle leads
Structuring and syndication capabilities.
Four capabilities. One enforceable structure.
Deal Structuring
Equity and debt terms designed to protect position and control.
Downside Protection
Covenants, security and protections built into the structure.
Syndication Strategy
Participants, allocation and governance aligned for clean execution.
Documentation Control
Documentation kept precise, enforceable and closing-ready.
The scope
Deal Structuring & Syndication — scope, made explicit.
A focused, premium mandate — with the structure, the capital committed and the control position at the center.
Instrument Design
Structures across equity, debt and hybrid instruments.
Covenants & Security
Covenant design, security packages and downside protections.
Participant Governance
Syndication strategy and participant decision rights.
Conditions & Sequencing
Conditions precedent and deployment sequencing controlled.
Ongoing Governance
Reporting and governance structures that hold after close.
The mandate
Deal outcomes are determined in the structure.
Handle engineers transaction and syndication terms that align control, risk allocation and capital commitments — balancing equity, debt and ownership terms to the objective of the mandate.
Documentation is managed with closing discipline, and governance is built in — so capital deploys with downside protection intact and decision rights preserved.
What the mandate delivers
- Transaction structuring across equity, debt and hybrid instruments
- Covenant design, security packages and downside protections
- Syndication strategy and participant governance frameworks
- Documentation management with closing discipline
- Conditions precedent and deployment sequencing control
- Ongoing governance and reporting structures where required
How the work runs
Four disciplines. One enforceable structure.
Every structure is engineered, protected, governed and documented before capital moves.
01
Structure Engineering
Equity and debt structures built to align incentives and protect control.
02
Covenant and Security Discipline
Protections designed for enforceability and downside containment.
03
Syndication Governance
Participant roles, decision rights and controls defined to prevent execution friction.
04
Documentation Control
Documentation managed with precision to protect position through close and beyond.
The Handle model
Practice-led. Never fragmented.
The transaction may begin here — it stays connected to strategy, capital and law.
Strategy & Operations
The work stays connected to market position, operating model, performance and execution governance.
M&A & Capital
The work stays aware of capital readiness, investor review, transaction logic and deployment discipline where relevant.
Legal & Regulatory
The work stays protected through structure, rights, governance, enforceability and regulatory or dispute readiness.
Why Handle
Control engineered into every clause.
Handle structures deals with legal, financial and governance expertise in one team — so the terms that are negotiated are the terms that can be enforced.
- Transaction structures aligned to control and risk allocation
- Covenants, security and protections designed for enforceability
- Syndication frameworks that align participants and governance
- Documentation precision to avoid execution friction
- Partner-led oversight on high-value structuring decisions
- Outcomes measured in clean closes and controlled deployment
Before offering your business for M&A, you must raise it with discipline. Strengthen governance, restore financial clarity, and sharpen strategy. A parented business attracts investors with confidence, not discounts.
Mohamed abu El-MakaremManaging Partner & Chairman
Engagement paths
Where this work typically begins.
Growth & Expansion
When the asset must scale capacity, geography, capital, partnerships or market share.
Turnaround
When the asset must reset structure, capital, law, governance and operations under pressure.
Coverage
Applied across the seven priority verticals.
Handle structures and syndicates transactions for corporates, family capital and institutions operating through the UAE, DIFC and ADGM.
Priority verticals · Where Handle operates
Industry & ManufacturingInfrastructure & Strategic AssetsHealthcare & PharmaEnergyEnvironment & SustainabilityAdvanced Technology & AIFood Security & Agritech
Related service lines · Mergers & Acquisitions
Across the Handle model
Questions, answered
M&A Deal Structure — questions, answered.
How Handle structures deals and syndicates capital with control.
What is deal structuring?
Defining the legal, tax and financial configuration of a transaction.
How does Handle design structures?
By balancing equity, debt and ownership terms against control, risk and the client’s objectives.
What is syndication?
Bringing several investors or lenders into one structured participation model.
Can Handle run the syndication process?
Yes. Participants are aligned, documentation drafted and closing coordinated.
How is deal risk contained?
Through scenario modelling, warranties, indemnities and structured protections.
Does Handle work alongside legal and banking teams?
Yes. Legal, financial and banking workstreams are integrated for transaction precision.
How long does syndication take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks, depending on participant volume and jurisdiction.
Which sectors rely on Handle for structuring?
Energy, finance, construction and government-linked entities, across the priority verticals.
How is transparency maintained during syndication?
Through investor data rooms, reporting schedules and governance charters.
Can hybrid instruments be used?
Yes. Debt, equity and mezzanine instruments are combined where the objective requires.
Insights
Perspectives from live mandates.
Partner-led analysis on law, capital and strategy, shaped by boardroom realities across the UAE and the GCC.
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Work with Handle
Begin with Deal Structuring & Syndication — kept connected to the whole Handle model.
When structure decides value.
Request an initial review
When terms must be engineered before capital moves.
Set out the transaction. A partner reviews it and responds with a defined route, structure and accountable lead.
- Partner-level review of every request
- Strict confidentiality and privilege from first contact
- One accountable partner from review to execution
