Richard Harris

Director, corporate finance

Richard is a Corporate Finance Director specialising in Energy & Infrastructure. Since 2011 he has specialised in the energy sector and providing corporate finance advice to active participants.

Richard’s primary focus has been in onshore wind and solar sectors where he is a leading expert and has successfully acted for developers and investors on numerous equity and debt funded transactions at the development, consented and operational stages.

At PKF Francis Clark, Richard works with other technology experts but also the firm’s wider expertise in key areas such as tax, due diligence and wealth management with clients ranging from individual project companies (such as a single solar park or wind turbines) and energy co-operatives through to developers of substantial businesses in the sector, and global investors.

Transaction types include acquisition/disposal advice, financial modelling, due diligence, business plan preparation and review, debt and equity fundraising, valuations and lead advisory.

Richard is a graduate of Loughborough University (BSc Hons) and a chartered accountant from Deloitte LLP (ACA). Previously to joining PKF Francis Clark, he was a Director of the JLL Energy & Infrastructure team.

Notable recent transactions which Richard has successfully led include:

  • Acting for BayWa r.e on the sale of three solar projects totalling 172MWps to Octopus Energy
  • Acting for Aviva on the sale of an operational rooftop and ground mounted solar portfolio to Atrato Energy
  • Acting for the shareholders Fig Power on the sale of their BESS development company to TRIG
  • Acting for Cero Generation on the sale of 350MWps of solar and 300MWs of co-located BESS to DIF
  • Acting for Bute Energy on its fundraise for the development of 2.5GWs of onshore wind and 1.25GWs of solar in Wales
  • Acing for a Scottish land owner on the sale of its lease income relating to a 220MW operational wind farm to funds managed by Downing
  • Acting for TCI Renewables on numerous onshore wind disposals, the most recent of which was the Brockaghboy Wind Farm (47.5MW)
  • Acting for Equitix on the acquisition of Gayton le Marsh Wind Farm (16.4MW) and Project Knight (55MWs) from Blackrock
  • Acting for the Co-operative Group in the disposal and financing of Twin Rivers Wind Farm (29.7 MW)
  • Acting for the shareholders in the disposal of Dorenell Wind Farm (177MW)

Richard's client say

“The breadth of PKF’s market expertise contributed hugely to the success of this transaction. We were delighted to work with them on this and thank the team for their unwavering support. ” Christine McGregor, Managing Director BayWa r.e UK
“We worked with Andy, Richard and the wider PKF team on the sale of the British Solar Renewables business in 2022 , having worked with team previously on solar asset sales. The sale of the business was of huge importance to us as a management team as we knew it would shape the future of our business and enable us to achieve the success that the British Solar Renewables team was capable of. Andy and Richard really took the time to get to know the business, understanding the importance of finding the right buyer in terms of the values and cultural fit. They were extremely hands on and professional and made it their mission to get the deal over the line. They were there whenever we needed them (including over Christmas) to offer advice or provide an objective view and were extremely solutions focussed when issues did arise during the process. We could not be more delighted with the partner they found for us, which was a testament to their deep understanding of us and our business.” Tim Humpage, CEO at BSR
“We have worked closely with the PKF team since 2018, as we developed our portfolio and strategy. They were the obvious corporate finance lead for our capital raise, and we are delighted with the resulting partnership with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Throughout the capital raise process PKF’s advice and support were invaluable, and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.” Oliver Millican, Chairman of Bute Energy

Latest posts featuring Richard

Energy solar panels on corrugated roof.

Eden Sustainable secures £75m from Thrive Renewables to accelerate solar rollout

29 April 2024

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The view from below of solar panels and wind turbines against the backdrop of a cloudy sunrise.

Electricity Generator Levy

27 January 2023

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