Stephenson Harwood partner Alain Gautron was conferred Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Maritime (Knight of the Order of Maritime Merit) on 19 October. The honour, bestowed by the French Government, is in recognition of his dedication to the maritime industry.

The Ordre du Mérite Maritime is a French order, established on 9 February 1930, which is granted to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of the maritime sector in France, in either a military or civilian capacity.

Gautron has worked with the transportation industries, and particularly in the maritime sector, since 1992. This accolade recognises his contribution to the promotion of the French flag in the maritime world, the shaping of French government maritime policies, tonnage tax and wider support to the French shipping industry, as well as his participation on the Board of the French Maritime Institute. Furthermore, it was noted that more than half of the vessels currently registered under the French flag have been part of a deal – whether by way of purchase and sale, financing and/or flagging – in which Gautron was involved.

Gautron works on all aspects of law relating to the transportation industry. He acts predominantly in the field of asset finance (ships, corporate jets, industrial equipment, rolling stock), project finance, tax leasing, export credits, acquisition finance, securitisation and commodities financing.