Diane Harris

Since 2002 Diane has been acting for the Private Infrastructure Development Group (currently as General Counsel and Company Secretary), a multi-government and donor programme with over USD 1bn of aid funding whose purpose is to combat poverty in the poorest and most fragile countries through pioneering infrastructure. Diane has provided the Private Infrastructure Development Group with real-time legal and corporate secretariat support and advice including the structuring and drafting of grant and other funding instruments; establishing the trust through which the governments and donors flow their funds; establishing the corporate entities within the group, co-ordinating tax and regulatory advice, providing procurement advice; negotiating financing and other transaction documents for both the government and donor group, the trust and the group’s corporate entities (including The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Ltd, GuarantCo Ltd and InfraCo Africa Ltd) and advising stakeholders on the establishment of and implementation of new governance arrangements – in particular developing a code of conduct and ethical operating  policies  and  procedures for the group.

Since qualifying as a solicitor Diane has advised on company and commercial issues, including trusts, funds (including loan guarantee and equity investment funds), SME financing, grant and loan administration, corporate governance and company law.  Diane has a particular interest in safeguarding, environmental, social and governance issues.

Qualifications

Admitted as a solicitor (England & Wales) in 2004

Cardiff University – LLB Degree

PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner