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.
Banking and finance in East Midlands
Browne Jacobson LLP
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 receives a strong flow of instructions from banks and alternative lenders such as pension trustees and high-net-worth individuals. Property and development finance expert James Coningsby is a key figure.
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.