Hall Of Fame

Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Banking and finance in East Midlands

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP represents mid-market lenders, funders and corporates across a broad range of financing transactions, from asset-based lending though to private equity funding and general corporate financing. One of the most recognisable names in the Midlands market, team head Shaun McCabe is a finance specialist; he is assisted by senior associate James Busby. The group also benefits from Mark Lewis's property finance expertise.

Practice head(s):

Shaun McCabe


Other key lawyers:

Mark Lewis; James Busby


Key clients

HSBC


Virgin Money/Clydesdale


NatWest


Santander


Shawbrook


RBSIF


BREAL Zeta CF


Investec


BOOST&Co


Rcapital


Work highlights


  • Advised on the refinance of Palatine-backed CTS with Kartesia and CYB, including an acquisition buy and build facility with subsequent bolt-on acquisitions.
  • Advising NatWest on financing the £75m acquisition of Fluent Money by AIM-listed Mortgage Advice Bureau Holdings.
  • Advising HSBC UK on the management buyout of Moore Large group by Cadence Sports Group.

Freeths LLP

Freeths LLP is particularly recommended for acquisition, mezzanine, real estate, public sector and healthcare financing. It also frequently works with challenger banks and several overseas banks across Europe and the Middle East. Its development finance practice is led by Nottingham-based team head Chris Freeston and Katie Hillier. Senior associate Gary Richardson is active across all forms of lending. Other specialists include John Heaphy, also in Nottingham, for acquisition finance, and Phil Baigent in Leicester for funding in the healthcare sector.

Practice head(s):

Chris Freeston


Other key lawyers:

Phil Baigent; John Heaphy; Katie Hillier; Gary Richardson


Key clients

AssetStone


SANTANDER UK PLC


LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (INCLUDING LLOYDS DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL)


CLYDESDALE BANK / YORKSHIRE BANK


BEECHBROOK CAPITAL


REDWOOD BANK


CAMBRIDGE & COUNTIES BANK


FRONTIER DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL


ICG LONGBOW


CHANCERYGATE


Work highlights


  • Advised Cohort Capital on a £45,000,000 bridging loan to enable a private investor to acquire the Corn Exchange in Manchester.
  • Advising Cohort Capital on a £70m facility to purchase a 313-unit student accommodation site in Paddington, London.
  • Advising Scotch Corner on a significant facility to finance the development of the Scotch Corner Retail Park Development.

Gateley Legal

Anna Mayfield is the leading figure in Gateley Legal‘s finance team and has over 20 years of experience in the local markets, attracting instructions from both direct fund lenders and borrowers with multiple facility types and in multi-lender financing. Mayfield is noted for acquisition, corporate and real estate finance transactions, with many involving offshore entities and complex structures involving offshore trusts. Associates Megan Kirby and Alicia Bradburn provide support in all transactions.

Practice head(s):

Anna Mayfield


Other key lawyers:

Megan Kirby; Alicia Bradburn


Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


Santander UK plc


Lloyds Bank plc


Clydesdale Bank plc (Virgin Money)


The Royal Bank of Scotland plc


National Westminster Bank plc


Maven Debt Finance


Connection Capital LLP


BGF Investments LP


United Tooling Solutions Limited


WA Capital Limited


Beechbrook Capital LLP


Frontier Development Capital Limited


Eoth Limited (Equip/Rab)


Work highlights


  • Advised United Tooling Solutions on the simultaneous acquisitions of three companies, funded by further facilities from Shawbrook Bank and Beechbrook UK SME Credit.
  • Advised Frontier Development Capital on the provision of development finance for the regeneration of an historic building into office, retail and social space.

Geldards LLP

Jenny Chatten leads Geldards’ banking team in the Midlands, acting for high street banks, private lenders and public authorities, as well as borrowers on refinancings and MBOs. As part of the German desk offering, Chatten also supports German law firms with English banking and finance advice. David Watson is highly experienced in financing in the development, retail and healthcare sectors.

Practice head(s):

Jenny Chatten; David Watson


Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


Clowes Developments UK Limited


Lloyds Bank plc


Santander UK plc


Burnley Council


Newark and Sherwood District Council


Sofa Brands International Limited


Derby City Council


Nexa Finance Limited


Warrington Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advised on the entry into a new secured term loan facility by JDM Food Holdings with HSBC UK, including guarantees.
  • Advised on the extension and revision of 1869 Limited (part of the Sofa Brands group) and group’s existing facility agreement with Clydesdale Bank.
  • Assisted Derby City Council in funding a classic car project launched by Great Northern Classics.

Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP‘s banking department is a ‘strong, vibrant team’, which specialises in general corporate banking and acquisition financing, acting predominantly for clearing banks, private banks and institutional investors in SMEs. Real estate finance is another specialism. Head of the practice Haydon Simmonds ‘is a very experienced banking lawyer’ and is the lead lawyer for lenders, sponsors and borrowing corporates. Lucy Lord is the primary property finance partner.

Practice head(s):

Haydon Simmonds


Other key lawyers:

Lucy Lord; Jahid Ali


Testimonials

‘Strong Relationship end to end. Collaborative. Diversity of people. Good brand and reputation in the market.’

‘Haydon Simmonds – Great, strong relationships builder, trustworthy, open and honest and always there to support and help where he can. Available and response time is really good.’

‘A strong, vibrant team that integrates well with the corporate offering of the firm.’

‘Haydon Simmonds leads the banking team and is a very experienced banking lawyer, with a strong client list and is a great person as well!’

‘Jahid Ali is very visible in the business markets. He has been excellent with my clients with quality advice and always follows through with any actions agreed. Clients have also fed back to me to say how pleased they have been with the referrals.’

Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


National Westminster Bank plc


Santander UK Plc


Handelsbanken Plc


RQ Capital Limited


Barclays Bank plc


Lloyds Bank plc


Bank of Scotland plc


Cambridge and Counties Bank plc


Coutts and Company


NQ2 Cobalt Limited


Maya Property Limited


The Property Investor Partnership Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising HSBC Bank UK in relation to acquisition finance facilities supporting the purchase of an East Midlands-based corporate group via an Employee Ownership Trust.
  • Advising the NQ2 group in relation to both senior and mezzanine acquisition finance facilities to support the acquisition of a new hotel for the group.
  • Advising the purchaser in the acquisition of a new subsidiary company operating in the healthcare sector; the deal involved negotiation of an LMA-style term loan facility agreement.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited

Nelsons Solicitors Limited‘s practice is led by David Kaplan and receives a strong flow of instructions from banks and alternative lenders such as pension trustees and high-net-worth individuals. Kaplan also advises clients on their funding arrangements with finance providers. Property and development finance expert James Coningsby is another key figure.

Practice head(s):

David Kaplan


Other key lawyers:

James Coningsby


Shoosmiths LLP

Demonstrating a wealth of experience in leveraged, acquisition and real estate finance, Shoosmiths LLP combines the bench strength of its Nottingham and Birmingham offices to advise traditional lenders and corporate borrowers. David Adams divides his time between the two offices and is also the key figure for pensions and education finance and asset-based lending. Senior associate Victoria Chan, based in Nottingham, is also noted.

Practice head(s):

David Adams


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Chan


Testimonials

‘Great collaboration is seen from this firm. The firm always finds solutions to problems during a deal and helps smooth the process. We always deal with the same individuals in the team and so building a great relationship on both a business and personal basis.’

‘David Adams and Victoria Chan are always on hand to discuss new or existing deals. It is easier to talk through the deal requirements with them and they make good suggestions for a smooth transaction for the client.’

Key clients

Santander Bank Plc


Investec Bank Plc


ABN AMRO


Close Brothers Invoice Finance


TFC Europe Limited


Shawbrook Bank Limited


Secure Trust Bank Plc


Key Media UK Limited


Novuna


First Southern National Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised Foresight Group and TFC Europe (a supplier of technical fasteners across Europe) on the sale and purchase of TFC to US-based AFC Industries.
  • Acted for Shawbrook Bank in relation to a facilities agreement and receivables financing agreement with Titan Engineering Group to support the transfer of ownership from longstanding shareholders to members of the management team.
  • Acted as advisers and project managers to Key Media Group and its management team in relation to the investment and exit to Housatonic, multiple pre-close global reorganisations, and a facility provided by National Bank of Canada.