Andrew Skipper

Senior Counsel and Chair of Africa Practice at Hogan Lovells

Andrew Skipper is a commercial lawyer of 35 years standing. During his career at Hogan Lovells, he has taken on many senior roles, including head of the global corporate practice, and also served on the firm's international management committee for 10 years. He is now Chair of Africa Practice and is highly recommended for his broad knowledge of African matters. He believes the continent an integral driver of the firm's global ambitions and chairs the Africa business on the 4 key pillars of understanding, investing, operating and respecting those we work with. This is with a view to developing business in mutual partnership throughout the continent.

Andrew is a regular contributor to broader African issues. Following the UK Africa Investment Summit in 2020, he became a member of the UK government's Africa Investors Group and is now its co-chair. This group was set up to encourage trade and support investment to and from Africa. Andrew is also a member of the Council of the Royal Africa Society (RAS) and chairs its governance and nominations committee, and sits on the advisory board of the South Africa Chamber of Commerce in the UK. Andrew is a member of the working group on legal services for the UK-Nigeria Economic Development Forum (EDF).

As an advocate of the arts, Andrew was a trustee of the Foundation of the Royal National Theatre in the UK for a number of years and is now vice chair of the advisory board of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington. He is also on the advisory Board of the 1-54 Art Fair, which holds events in Africa, the UK and US. He is a private collector of modern and contemporary African Art and supports a number of events in this space.

Andrew is a regular speaker and writer on African affairs, promoting an understanding of African business and culture, including hosting his A perspective podcasts.

He won a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Commercial Lawyer in Africa from South Africa Professional Services Association (SAPSA) in 2020.

Nathan Searle

Partner at Hogan Lovells

Nathan Searle is a partner in the Hogan Lovells' international arbitration group, acting for large multinationals in complex and high-value international arbitrations and cross-border disputes. He also advises clients on risk management and has extensive experience in African-related disputes. He is an active member of the firm's cross-practice Africa group, and is also Co-Chair of the LCIA's Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) and a member of the advisory board of the Association of Young Arbitrator's Nigeria (AYA) and Africa Arbitration.

Arun Velusami

Co-Chair of Africa Practice and Partner at Hogan Lovells

Arun has advised governments, developers and lenders in a variety of energy projects with a particular focus on power projects in Africa.

These include renewable energy projects (solar, wind, biomass, geothermal), thermal projects (fuel oil, gas and coal) and hydro-power projects. He also has experience of cross border power trading arrangements and captive power generation projects.

Akima Paul Lambert

Partner at Hogan Lovells

Akima Paul Lambert focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration. She often works with clients on large, multijurisdictional disputes. She has experience in commercial and investment treaty arbitration, and is dual-qualified in the UK and in the U.S.

Akima has significant experience acting for financial institutions, corporations and professional firms in litigation and arbitration proceedings arising out of commercial, banking and financial disputes.

Dr Ademola Bamgbose

Associate at Hogan Lovells

Dr. Ademola Bamgbose is a lawyer in the international arbitration and litigation group at Hogan Lovells. He is also a key member of the global Africa practice, and is admitted to practice in Nigeria, England and Wales.

He represents clients in high-value international disputes and advises clients on issues spanning multiple sectors and jurisdictions, including Africa and other emerging markets. He has previously undertaken a commercial litigation secondment in the legal department of a top FTSE 100 company in London.

Amoetsoe Mkwena

Associate at Hogan Lovells

Amoetsoe is an associate in the Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects practice in London, with experience of working on a range of international energy and infrastructure projects and transactions, with a focus on projects in Africa. These include renewable energy projects such as solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower projects, and also Oil & Gas projects.