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At Eversheds LLP, Iftkhar Ahmed is ‘commercial’, with a ‘strong client base’ among corporate occupiers, and David Jones is ‘very experienced’ on all aspects of commercial and mixed-use developments. The seven-partner practice sees a steady flow of complex and sizeable transactions. It advised Land Securities on the sale of Stratford Shopping Centre London, and Mitchells & Butlers Retail on its disposal of the Hollywood Bowl ten-pin-bowling business. Other clients include HSBC and Hammerson. Practice head Helen Annable is well regarded.

Pinsent Masons LLP is advising Waitrose on its national new stores programme, and also advised new client Orascom on a property option agreement for its acquisition of over 600 hectares of former china clay mining land in Cornwall. Other clients include Calthorpe Estates, Corus and Birmingham City University. Tom Johnson, who has considerable retail sector expertise, heads the practice.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ clients include Jurys Inn and National Grid. The ‘experienced’ Anne O’Meara and Monique Sutherland advised Advantage West Midlands and East Midlands Development Agency on the establishment of the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty. The ‘attentive’ Nick Green heads the team, which also includes Mitchell Ball (noted for his ‘clear advice’) and Melanie Williams, who is recommended for her experience in property tax structures.

Wragge & Co LLP has a heavyweight team featuring group head Adrian Bland, the ‘very commercial’ Richard Bate, and the ‘very well-connected’ Christopher Hunt. It advised Slough Borough Council on securing three key agreements for the council’s Heart of Slough project, and assisted Goodman in securing £47m funding for the construction of a 468,000 sq ft regional distribution centre. Robert Caddick is ‘very experienced in big-ticket development work’.

DLA Piper UK LLP has the ‘very competent’ David Hayes and Fiona Thomson, who produces work of the ‘highest quality’. The practice advised Trebor Developments/Wrenbridge JV on the development of a new Innovation Centre and business units for Decorum Borough Council, and also acts for Busy Bee Nurseries, Electrolux and Blacks Leisure Group. The ‘pragmatic’ Roger Collier has considerable mines and minerals expertise.

Gateley has a new head of department in Rebecca Sherwin, with Richard Pettifor having moved in-house. It has an active residential development practice, and key clients include Wolverhampton City Council and Morris Homes. James White is now a partner and has considerable retail experience. The team’s corporate occupiers’ practice was strengthened by the firm’s acquisition of the former Halliwells real estate team.

Martineau’s ‘proactive team’ acts for clients such as Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Claire’s Accessories UK, and Lloyds Banking Group, and recently advised the University of Worcester on its proposed 10-year joint venture with a developer for the development of 10 acres of a 40-acre site. Leading individuals include John Rice, who is particularly strong on property financing, and the ‘extremely calm’ Bhavesh Amlani. Kathy Toon has joined the firm, adding expertise on the retail side.

Shakespeares’ 11-partner practice has the ‘well-known and respected’ Kevin Nagle at the helm. The practice advised CEVA Logistics on the sale and leaseback of a site, and advised Cannock Developments on the acquisition of a hotel premises. Clients include large-scale operators and developers, and a number of organisations in the care home sector. Major clients include Barratt Homes and Wesleyan. Rob Adey is another key contact.

Shoosmiths is the exclusive property adviser to One Stop Stores (part of Tesco), while other leisure and retail clients include Marston’s and Poundland. The team has also been busy advising social housing clients, and has seen an increase in property financing work. Simon Boss heads the six-partner practice, and is praised for his ‘can-do attitude’. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Joel Kordan is recommended for residential and commercial development work.

The ‘excellent’ Greg Moss and Jane Trevithick jointly head the practice at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, which has been involved in a number of large and complex property development, stock rationalisation and social housing refinancing projects. New client wins include Royal British Legion, IET Connect and Seventh Day Adventists. ‘Very diligent’ associate Beth Margetson is also singled out for praise.

Browne Jacobson LLP acted for Bradford City Council in its joint venture with a private sector developer on a scheme for the regeneration of the Canal Road Corridor in Bradford, while other clients include Poundland. Victoria Camfield heads the team, and Thomas Howard is rated for his healthcare experience.

Clarke Willmott LLP is strong in the retail sector, with Jonathan Morton the lead partner. It advised Trine Developments on the refinancing and forward sale of part of a proposed mixed private and public sector residential apartment scheme. Significant clients include easyGroup, Gloucestershire PCT and Pochin Homes. Kathy Toon is now at Martineau.

Adrian Watson is the key contact at Cobbetts LLP, which acted for W Wing Yip and Brothers Property and Investments in the acquisition of two investment portfolios, and whose other clients include Jaguar Land Rover and Accord Housing Group. Eleanor Deady has left the firm.

Hill Hofstetter LLP provides a ‘consistently high level of service’; recommended partners include the ‘commercially astute’ Nigel Watkins, and Jonathan Wright, who ‘adds common sense and value to deals’. The team advised a German company in the negotiation of contracts for the sale and installation of various biogas plants in the UK.

Mills & Reeve LLP is highly rated for its sector expertise in healthcare and education in particular. Michael Whatley heads the practice, which counts Tower Hamlets College and GE Real Estate as clients. It advised The Borough of Telford & Wrekin on the £350m Southwater town centre regeneration scheme.

The Wilkes Partnership counts Gallan Group and Frontier Estates as clients, and secured new instructions from Johnsons Cars and Floor 2 Go. Mark Colder is a primary contact.

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