Clyde & Co has advised the University of South Wales (USW) on the establishment of an advanced aviation engineering campus in Dubai South.

Clyde & Co's dedicated education team supported USW throughout the course of the campus set-up, including advising on the regulatory framework, corporate structuring and real estate considerations with the Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC).

    Ross Barfoot, Corporate Partner and Global Head of Education at Clyde & Co in the UAE, comments: "Helping an established leader in advanced aviation engineering launch in Dubai showcases our expertise in advising UK higher education institutions on their international expansion projects. Having advised on the majority of international academic institutions set-ups in the Middle East, we leveraged our experience in the education sector and strong local knowledge to advise on this key operation for the region."

    Professor Julie Lydon OBE, Vice-Chancellor of USW, says: "We're proud to bring our aviation portfolio to Dubai and its engineering students. Our partnership with Dubai South as it develops into one of the world's leading aviation and logistics hubs is an exciting development for the University and Clyde & Co's expertise and regional know-how has been highly valued.”

The Clyde & Co team was led by Ross Barfoot, who was assisted by Stephen McKenna (Legal Director – Corporate), and Pan Dermitis (Associate - Corporate), with additional specialist support provided by Alexis Waller (Real Estate Partner), Sarah Khalifa (Senior Associate – Real Estate), Scott Flint (Senior Associate – Real Estate), Rebecca Ford (Employment Partner), and Samantha Ellaby (Senior Associate – Employment).

Clyde & Co is the only law firm in the Middle East with a dedicated education team capable of creating education deals, with particular strength in advising UK independent schools and universities on their arrangements with investors and local partners to establish branded campuses in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Clyde & Co has the largest corporate legal practice in the Middle East with 20 partners and over 70 experienced lawyers who have forged a reputation as a go-to firm for M&A and JV transactions. Clyde & Co has assisted clients in realising their investments, gaining access to new markets through organic growth/strategic acquisitions and in achieving their corporate objectives for more than 25 years in its key focus sectors of insurance, education, energy, healthcare and defence & security.