Michael Watson

Michael is Head of the Climate and Sustainability Advisory practice at Pinsent Masons, the team which is responsible for curating and developing products and services across the Firm that respond to ESG matters, driving the ESG learning and development agenda Firm-wide and advising the Firm on its Net Zero and sustainability targets.

The Firm-wide practice draws together professionals from all practice areas in the development of products and services which address issues such as Governance and Compliance, Transition Advisory and Risk. The practice focuses not only on adapting existing products and services but also new often multidisciplinary solutions collaborating with other professionals both within and outwith the firm. Reporting to the Senior Partner a central tenant of the approach is through firm-wide programmes to create a Firm of Climate and Sustainability Conscious colleagues. Prior to being appointed in the role Michael was Global Head of the Finance and Projects Group (the Business Group in Pinsent Masons specialising in Energy, Infrastructure, Construction and Energy and Infrastructure Finance across the Firm nationally and internationally).

Throughout his career he has specialised in energy and infrastructure finance and has experience in all areas of finance and debt related work including project finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance and restructuring. He has acted for both lenders (bank and non-bank) and borrowers a wide range of infrastructure and energy transactions and worked on a range of "first of a kind" financings. Michael is a rated individual in The Legal 500 and Chambers directories and shortlisted in the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards Europe 2023 for Individual Leader. He has also helped the firm develop its Impact Investment practice and credentials. He is passionate about the role that the legal and professional services sector can play in helping address the climate emergency and advise clients appropriately.

In the last year, the Firm has won the 2022 FT Sustainability Innovation Award and 2023 FT Most innovative law firm in Europe award (for the third time in 10 years).