He joins from MinterEllisonRuddWatts, where he led project finance practice
Hesketh Henry, an Auckland-based law firm, has announced the appointment of Simon Gray
as a new partner and head of its banking and finance practice.
He joined Hesketh Henry from MinterEllisonRuddWatts in Auckland, where he worked from October 2019 to January 2026. There, he served as special counsel and led the project finance practice.
According to Hesketh Henry’s news release, Gray will help the firm with matters involving construction and infrastructure, commercial property, corporate and commercial law, Māori businesses, trade, and transport.
With more than two decades of experience, he focuses on project finance and complex banking transactions. He has assisted banks, credit funds, non-bank lenders, sponsors, and corporates with structuring, negotiating, and delivering bankable finance arrangements involving critical risk allocation and certainty.
Gray’s clients have also included public entities, iwi, contractors, and offtakers. He has handled matters involving domestic and cross-border financing, acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate lending, funds finance, property finance, and debt restructuring.
His work has covered energy and development projects. He has assisted clients with navigating the full asset lifecycle, including procurement strategy, bankability, delivery, operation, and refinancing.
“His appointment reflects Hesketh Henry’s commitment to delivering integrated, market-leading solutions for clients in these sectors and areas,” the firm said in its news release.
Gray’s LinkedIn profile and his biography on the firm’s website provided more information regarding his professional experience and educational background.
His more than 20 years of experience included stints in large international firms. At Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow in Singapore, he worked as a local principal from July 2017 to August 2019 and as a senior associate from January 2012 to June 2017.
At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Gray served as a senior associate in Singapore from January 2011 to December 2011 and as an associate in London, UK, from 2007–08. At HSF, he dealt with complex financing transactions. He worked in-house within an international bank and supported the credit, origination, and portfolio management teams.
He was an associate director at UBS in London, UK, from 2009–10. He was also an associate at Simpson Grierson in Auckland from 2003–07.
From the University of Auckland, Gray obtained his BCom in accounting and finance and his LLB in 2002.
