Praised for its ‘expert knowledge of the market’, the team at Addleshaw Goddard stands out for its array of in-depth specialisms; it acts nationally and internationally for high-profile lenders and borrowers. Practice head Martin O’Shea draws on over two decades of experience in the local market and Andrew Maskill leads the asset finance group, while Simon Prendergast advises on high-profile asset-based lending transactions. Richard Oman, who focuses on corporate lending and leveraged acquisition finance work, is another key name in the team, as is experienced associate Ben Edwards and Katie Ridehalgh, who specialises in real estate finance mandates. Legal director Sarah Jay joined the team from Pinsent Masons LLP in early 2021.
Banking and finance in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Martin O’Shea
Other key lawyers:
Richard Oman; Andrew Maskill; Simon Prendergast; Katie Ridehalgh; Ben Edwards; Jessica Burgess; Sarah Jay
Testimonials
‘Addleshaws have market leading expertise in the small / mid-ticket asset finance market. Andrew Maskill is the best in-house lawyer in private practice! Experienced, with commercial risk appreciation and technically solid.’
‘Andrew Maskill is always available and provides market leading experience and service on transactional matters.’
‘Their in depth knowledge and understanding of the client requirements is a real strength. There is a broad offering of expertise which means Addleshaws can act as a one stop shop for legal advice.’
‘Really proactive, driven team who are very capable at handling complex matters.’
‘Ben Edwards – exceptional client service and technical knowledge. Jessica Burgess – strong associate, commercial and responsive.’
‘Team led by Simon Prendergast is incredibly knowledgeable, collaborative, commercial and experienced. I have worked with Simon for many years in the asset based lending market and find him and his team a huge support.’
‘The AG team has expert knowledge of the market, the technical legal knowledge that is expected of a large law firm and will always be able to put a large team on a deal, if needed.’
‘Martin O’Shea – extremely experienced; always very receptive to calls / queries even when not billing for the advice. Katie Ridehalgh – very specific technical expertise and my go-to person in the industry for advice which I can fully rely on.’
Key clients
Tosca Debt Capital LLP
JD Sport Fashion plc
MoneySuperMarket.com Group plc
The HSBC group of companies (including HSBC UK Bank plc, HSBC Equipment Finance (UK) Limited and HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited
Santander UK plc
Co-operative Group Limited
Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc
McBride plc
Appreciate Group PLC
PZ Cussons plc
Work highlights
- Advised Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) on the provision of a loan facility of £34m to Liverpool Airport to provide stability for the Airport during the Covid-19 recovery period.
- Acted for Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc on its new debt facilities totalling in aggregate approximately £500m during lockdown.
- Advised Barclays and Santander in connection with revolving facilities to plan.com.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper regularly handles complex and high-value debt deals, tapping into its international network on cross-jurisdictional work. Recently, the team has supported corporate clients and lenders on establishing and accessing crucial Covid-19 rescue funding. Practice head Joseph Frew focuses on real estate finance work and co-leads the firm’s national asset-based lending team, supported by specialised associate Alastair Carruthers. Debt finance and credit fund lawyer Matthew Christmas stands out for his private credit fund expertise, supported by associate Charles Weems. Rebecca Williams, who has strength in asset finance arrangements, is praised as ‘attentive and responsive’.
Practice head(s):
Joseph Frew
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Christmas; Rebecca Williams; Alastair Carruthers; Charles Weems; Sidrah Arif
Testimonials
‘Joe Frew is our main contact at DLA and he coordinates all aspects of the financial side of our transactions, liaising with his property colleagues as appropriate to give my firm seamless support. We work on quite complex mezzanine finance development transactions and Joe has the ability to grasp intricate concepts and draft clauses to protect our position both with the borrower’s lawyers and also the lawyers of the funder providing senior debt facilities.’
‘Alastair Carruthers stood out as dedicated, commercial and fully on top of transaction and all its moving parts.’
‘My go-to individual is Rebecca Williams. I couldn’t ask for a more attentive and responsive lawyer to get deals across the line. DLA Piper also has the depth of resources in asset finance, and more generally as a major international operation to meet deadlines.’
‘I’ve worked with DLA for many years focusing on their asset based lending expertise. I find the partners and their teams exceptionally knowledgeable, helpful, commercial and sensible in their approach. They work collaboratively with us and do not take a opposing stance just for the sake of it. They are true professionals.’
‘They give you their time and their views, feel able to challenge where necessary but never make you feel inadequate.’
‘The practice have a good understanding of our documents as they do all of our banking for loans. They give helpful market information also and give excellent service. They always answer small questions very promptly.’
‘The individuals are a pleasure to deal with. Deal mainly with Matthew Christmas and Alastair Carruthers. Occasionally I have had an unreasonable rush job and they have been able to complete this for me unbelievably quickly. They are both very hard working and effective.’
‘Matt Christmas – excellent advice, always available, leads from the front (ie doesn’t overly delegate), a trusted adviser.’
Key clients
Tosca Debt Capital
National Westminster Bank plc
INEOS
Permira Debt Managers
Pemberton Capital
Lloyds Bank
AO World Plc
Biffa Plc
Close Brothers
ABN Amro
Maslow Capital
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Work highlights
- Advised HSBC and Nat West on £50m of CLBILS facilities and £100m of RCF facilities to provide urgent liquidity to Covid-impacted N Brown Group plc.
- Represented a syndicate of lenders on £115m of facilities provided to Scapa Group plc.
- Assisted British Steel to implement a £50m ABL facility to provide working capital.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's areas of expertise include corporate lending work, public sector lending issues and real estate finance matters; the team acts for major banks, wealth management clients and private equity firms as well as public sector clients. Experienced lawyer Matthew Morgan is at the helm, with a particular strength in real estate finance, corporate finance and acquisition finance mandates. Samantha Rollason focuses on the restructuring of UK and international real estate transactions and funds, while Tim Fearn specialises in corporate finance, acquisition finance and asset-based lending work.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Morgan
Other key lawyers:
Samantha Rollason; Tim Fearn; Andrew Kirkham
Testimonials
‘A very approachable team who give practical and efficient advice. Always available to take calls or if not they return the call within the day. The team work very hard to get the deal done-very co-operative and they deliver.’
‘Andy Kirkham – approachable, knowledgeable and practical. Very thorough and very good.’
Key clients
HSBC Bank PLC
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Crosslane Property Group
Permira Debt Capital
Tyman plc
PJ Livesey Group Limited
N M Rothschild & Sons Limited
European Metal Recycling Limited
Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Limited
Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank
Bank of Ireland
Santander Bank PLC
Work highlights
- Acting for a group of lenders on a £250m facility to Bodycote plc.
- Acting for a group of lenders on a £300m facility to Assura plc.
- Acting for Santander on its £15m facility to Appreciate Group plc.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
With a strong corporate borrower client base and a place on the panels of many clearing banks, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has an active and varied practice. The team can draw on the firm's network of international offices on cross-border matters, as well as specific sector expertise for renewable energy finance work. Jason Wurzal leads the team, acting for clients on revolving credit facilities, high-profile transactions and refinancing matters. ‘High-quality lawyer’ Taslima Salam is head of the firm’s national real estate finance practice across the regions.
Practice head(s):
Jason Wurzal
Other key lawyers:
Taslima Salam; Hannah McAdam
Testimonials
‘I mainly work with Taslima Salam – high-quality lawyer that is easy to work with, responsive and provides good advice.’
Key clients
Perwyn LLP
Epwin Group plc
Qualtex UK Limited
Globus (Shetland) Limited
Augustus Regis Limited
Romaco Limited
SimplyBiz Group plc
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc
Charles Street Commercial Investments Limited
Barchester Healthcare Limited
Peel Media Limited
Footasylum plc
Cadogan Estates Limited
UC Group
Santander UK plc
Aeriance Investments
Triodos Bank N.V.
Barclays Bank plc
Together
Eurohotels
Christies International plc
Marshall of Cambridge
Begbies plc
Lookers plc
Next plc
N Brown plc
Marshalls plc
Renold plc
HSBC Bank PLC
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Holidaybreak Ltd
API Group Plc
Topps Tiles plc
Morses Club plc
LNT Group Limited
Maslow Capital
Zen Internet Limited
Lakeland Limited
Wathegar 2 Limited
Winsford Devco LLP (part of Kier)
Augusta Securities
FS Wind Limited
XPO
Valero Energy Ltd
Beech Developments Limited
Venus Healthcare Limited
Metro Bank plc
Work highlights
- Acted for N Brown Group plc on £100m refinancing as part of a £100m equity raise.
- Advised Perwyn on the fund facilities relating to the acquisition of Agilitas IT Solutions.
- Acted for Andium Homes on £150m Revolving Credit Facility.
Hill Dickinson LLP
With a presence in both Manchester and Liverpool, Hill Dickinson LLP’s team acts for a broad array of clients and has been appointed to a significant number of bank panels. At the helm of the banking and finance group is Liverpool-based Richard Capper, who draws on two decades of experience and specialises in banking transactions. The Manchester team is co-led by Chris Johnston, who is an expert in real estate finance, and Alasdair Mackinnon, who works with mainstream as well as secondary and alternative lenders and cooperates closely with the Manchester-based corporate team on transactional work.
Practice head(s):
Richard Capper; Chris Johnston; Alasdair Mackinnon
Other key lawyers:
Deepak Purushothaman; Helen Penfold
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank PLC
Nat West Group (including Coutts and Ulster Bank)
Lloyds Bank PLC
Johnsons Service Group PLC
Stobart Group PLC
Cynergy Bank Limited
LDC
Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Limited
Downing Group
Sinclair Pharma PLC
Allied Irish Banks PLC
Trafford Borough Council
Santander UK PLC
Bibby Financial Services Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Stobart Group on all aspects of the restructuring of its £120m facilities with Lloyds Bank plc and AIB Group (UK) plc.
- Acted for panel client National Westminster Bank plc on all aspects of the £18.2m financing for Exeter Rugby Group of the development of a Courtyard by Marriot Hotel adjacent to its stadium in Exeter.
- Acted for new client Arbuthnot Latham in relation to a £33.75m facility made available to LAC Property Ltd to refinance a large portfolio of residential properties in London.
Shoosmiths LLP
Liz Sweeney leads the Shoosmiths LLP‘s banking and finance team, which stands out for its strength in big-ticket real estate financings and its involvement in high-value cross-border matters. Sweeny focuses on real estate finance work and advises on matters ranging from acquisition financings to corporate lending issues. Debra Cooper, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs in June 2020, is a key name to watch, especially in the real estate finance space. Tim McNamara has recently acted for clients in Covid-related support financing matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Debra Cooper; Tim McNamara
Testimonials
‘Debra Cooper, very efficient and reliable, gets things done on time.’
‘Personal approach to understand your business and working together collectively to reach the overall goal.’
‘Good communication & collaboration – good technology.’
Key clients
The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited T/A NatWest International
Bennett Jones LLP
Lloyds Bank plc
Patrick Properties Group Limited
Greater Manchester Housing
Select Property Group
Work highlights
- Acted for The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited T/A NatWest International and National Westminster Bank Plc in relation to a £500m revolving credit facility to Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar to assist with the stability of the Gibraltar economy following the Covid pandemic as well as other capital expenditure and investments.
- Provided English law advice to Bennett Jones LLP as lead counsel in connection with 10.0% Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes due 2027 issued by Neptune Acquisition Inc. to Canso Investment Counsel Limited and PNG Partners Inc. for the purpose of the acquisition of MDA, a group of space technology companies across Canada and the UK (sponsored by Northern Private Capital).
- Acted for Lloyds Bank plc on the provision of a £27m investment facility to Liverpool Edge (Hardman Street) Limited to refinance student accommodation which is part of the Liverpool John Moores University campus at Hardman Street in Liverpool.
Squire Patton Boggs
A key strength of the ‘pragmatic team’ at Squire Patton Boggs lies in real estate finance work, while asset-based lending, corporate lending and leveraged finance work are additional areas of focus. The group frequently acts for private equity clients and is increasingly active in the public sector, supporting local authorities as well as other funders on large projects. Claire Shepherd leads the group, advising lenders and borrowers on all aspects of commercial lending, while key lawyer Matthew Ingram is also singled out. The team was strengthened with the arrival of associate Michael Atherton who rejoined the team from JMW Solicitors LLP in December 2020.
Practice head(s):
Claire Shepherd
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Ingram; Graham Ball; Michael Atherton
Testimonials
‘High-quality advice from a regionally-focused firm with international reach.’
‘Prompt and pragmatic.’
‘Claire is an extremely intelligent, proactive, incisive and effective lawyer. She is my ‘go to’ banking lawyer in the North West region. She is smart, personable and humorous. She has excellent commercial aptitude and she distils complex legal issues in concise and effective language that allows me to make important legal decisions with confidence.’
‘Claire Shepherd is our main partner contact in Manchester. We value her in depth knowledge of our portfolio and procedures together with her common sense and practical approach to getting things done.’
‘The practice is knowledgeable and service orientated/partner led. Partners lead the conversations and are solution orientated, able to juggle workloads to ensure timelines are met. The partner we deal with is able to smoothly manage transactions/negotiations in a positive/constructive manner, easily able to put egos aside.’
Key clients
OakNorth Bank PLC
Praetura Commercial Finance Limited
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc/National Westminster Bank PLC/The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Lloyds Bank PLC
Yorkshire Bank / Clydesdale Bank
Polypipe Group PLC
Bank Leumi UK PLC
Stewart Milne Group
Assetz SME Capital Limited
ECI Partners LLP
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c
Work highlights
- Advised Clydesdale Bank PLC as the senior funder on the senior development and investment facilities to fund the development of a care home in Leeds.
- Advised Polypipe Group PLC on its revolving credit facilities, the establishment of a £100m Euro-commercial paper programme and a cash box placing.
- Advised Santander UK plc on its senior facilities to LTE Group to transform LTE Group’s further and higher education estate, which includes the construction of a brand new Centre of Excellence for the Creative and Digital Industries in Manchester City Centre and the regeneration of its Openshaw Campus.
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP stands out for its strength in housing finance work, acting for a large number of registered housing providers and undertaking high-value housing finance transactions. The team also has strong relationships with a variety of lenders including clearing banks, alternative and secondary lenders, debt funds and private equity investors. Andrew O’Mahony leads the practice from Liverpool, and Richard Cowan, a non-contentious banking and finance specialist, is based in Manchester. Legal director Helen Burns leads the firm-wide real estate finance team.
Practice head(s):
Andrew O’Mahony
Other key lawyers:
Richard Cowan; Helen Burns
Testimonials
‘Readily available to provide assistance as required, having a local office helps to discuss cases face to face and having a dedicated team covering our sector provides the necessary expertise.’
‘Good understanding of our requirements and knowledgeable about the sector.’
‘I have dealt with Richard Cowan on a number of transactions and I really value his partner-led service and attention to detail. He and his team have always been quick to respond and complete transactions in a timely manner.’
‘Brabners will go the extra mile to translate complex legal language into a narrative more understandable by non legal experts. They go out of their way to coordinate approaches with other interested parties.’
Key clients
National Westminster Bank plc
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Yorkshire Bank
Arbuthnot Latham & Co
Santander UK plc
Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund
Hope Capital
Coutts & Co
Elysium Bridging
Brown Shipley
Asertis Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Torus62 Limited (one of the UK’s largest registered housing providers) on a £100m loan facility with bLEND Funding plc.
- Advised Cobalt Housing Limited, a Liverpool based registered housing provider, on a £25m loan facility with bLEND Funding plc.
- Advised NatWest Bank in connection with the refinancing of a portfolio of nine licensed premises by Frederic Robinson Limited.
DWF
With a presence on a range of significant bank panels, DWF is well placed to act for notable lenders in the region; the firm is also instructed by corporate borrowers and public sector clients. The large team comprises practitioners in both Manchester and Liverpool. Team head James Szerdy has experience in all aspects of secured and unsecured lending transactions, and Paul Brown contributes expertise in public sector finance work; he recently advised on the funding of emergency Covid loans for SMEs in the region.
Practice head(s):
James Szerdy
Other key lawyers:
Paul Brown; Eleanor Cook
Testimonials
‘Good quality people, very pleasant and helpful, pragmatic and always try and get a deal done. Take a view rather than stick to rhetoric.’
‘DWF Law Manchester provide excellent support and cohesion to complete matters in a timely manner.’
‘James Szerdy provides proactive and practical support to help move forward at pace and with precision.’
‘James Szerdy – Always reachable and a pleasure to work with. Delivers against required deadlines.’
Key clients
National Westminster Bank/RBS/ RBSI
Lloyds Banking Group
HSBC Bank PLC
Santander UK plc
Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank
Secure Trust Bank plc
Lendinvest
MotoNovo Finance Limited
NextGear Capital UK Limited
Close Brothers
NWF plc
Manchester City Council
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Salford City Council
North West Evergreen Fund
Progress Housing Group
LXi REIT Plc
Home REIT Plc
Work highlights
- Advised Lloyds Banking Group on its funding to the Cartwright group of companies and the issues arising out of the administration of the manufacturer including negotiations with the transferee of the leasing business.
- Acted for Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the establishment of a £10m funding line via GC Business Finance for the emergency funding of central-government supported loans to SMEs under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, including the preparation, negotiation and completion of bespoke funding documentation and overseeing first drawdown.
- Advised RBS International on a £30m facility (with a £30m accordion facility) to an offshore property investment unit trust.
Gateley Plc
Gateley Plc’s key competencies include private equity and acquisition finance work as well as corporate banking and real estate finance issues. The team is instructed by a wide variety of borrowers and is on a number of clearing bank panels; it also has notable experience acting on leveraged finance transactions for sponsors and debt funds. Richard Sealy, who has over 20 years' experience in banking and corporate finance transactions, leads the practice, which also fields experienced associate Christopher Lister.
Practice head(s):
RIchard Sealy
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Lister
Key clients
Attivo Group
Independent Wealth Planners UK Limited
Beechbrook Capital
Inspired Energy plc
Hurstwood Holdings
Palatine Private Equity LLP
N M Rothschild & Sons
HSBC UK Bank plc
Oaknorth Bank plc
CityBlock
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Work highlights
- Acting for Hurstwood Holdings in relation to banking facilities in excess of £40m in relation to multiple acquisition and development transactions.
- Advising Palatine Private Equity in relation to the financing aspects of its investment in Acora, a leading provider of IT support and cloud solutions and the refinancing of its portfolio company Wren Sterling by Dunport Capital.
gunnercooke LLP
The practice at gunnercooke LLP is praised for ‘going beyond the call of duty to get deals done’. Rob Fawke is a key lawyer in the team and draws on a wide spectrum of experience ranging from leveraged finance and asset-based lending issues to debt restructurings. Clients include building societies, banks, real estate investors and private investment companies. ‘Standout partner’ Georgina Tripp also has a broad practice, which includes advising on asset-based receivables and traditional banking facilities.
Other key lawyers:
Rob Fawke; Georgina Tripp
Testimonials
‘Personal service and going beyond the call of duty to get deals done make Gunnercooke an outstanding legal partner. In particular Georgina Tripp and her team are a refreshing change to the legal profession.’
‘Great teamwork for a small firm, punching above their weight and feels like a big city firm. Great structure where the relationship built with clients is key. Plus, working with Gunnercooke allows us to agree the best pricing structure, giving us complete transparency.’
‘Georgina Tripp is the standout partner – Georgina brings the right balance of legal expertise and practical help to the most complex of matters. She is the foremost expert capital markets lawyer with comprehensive knowledge of funding programmes documentation. She knows how to get things done, the detail and the timescales.’
Key clients
BZ Commercial Finance DAC
Leeds Building Society
Skipton Building Society
OakNorth Bank plc
Calveton UK
Breal Capital Limited
Santander UK Plc
AIB Group (UK) plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Secure Trust Bank plc
Work highlights
- Acting for Calveton othe acquisition of Byron Burgers.
- Acting AIB Group (UK) plc on the provision of increased loan facilities to National Care Group Limited.
- Acting for Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the provision of mezzanine loan facilities to Worthington Mancap LLP.
Fieldfisher
As a part of the firm’s financial markets and products team, Fieldfisher's Manchester-based practice works closely with its counterparts in London and Belfast. The team is active for borrowers and lenders equally, with a strength in real estate finance work. ‘Exceptional’ practitioner Charlotte Round draws on a range of experience, which includes advising on UK and offshore finance transactions as well as bilateral and syndicated loans. Associate Daniel O’Brien joined the team from Trowers & Hamlins LLP in September 2020.
Other key lawyers:
Charlotte Round; Daniel O’Brien
Testimonials
‘I have been dealing with Fieldfisher for the last 18 months and they have been looking after my larger and more complex cases, several of which have been time critical. The work has been a mix of property and banking and the team in Manchester have been first rate. Cannot speak highly enough. Their banking lawyer (Charlotte Round) is exceptional and the property performed to seriously challenging deadlines to deliver a company purchase transaction on a pubs portfolio. Would not have happened without Fieldfisher.’
Key clients
Lloyds Bank
Santander UK plc
Standard Chartered Bank
Cynergy Bank
Downing LLP
Shawbrook Bank
Restore plc
Marlowe plc
Gusbourne plc
Perch Group
Work highlights
- Acted for Restore plc on the amendment and restatement of its revolving credit facilities of £160m, plus an accordion facility of up to £30m, from a syndicate of five banks.
- Acted for Marlowe plc on the increase of its revolving credit facilities to £70m, plus an accordion facility of up to £20m, from a syndicate of banks.
- Acted for Downing on its sale of part of its existing loan book to Pollen Street Capital and its partnership with Pollen Street to co-fund residential development finance and bridging deals.
JMW Solicitors LLP
Since Scott Cameron took the reigns of the banking and finance practice at JMW Solicitors LLP in 2019, the group has gained several new clients and solidified its standing in the market. The practice focuses on acting for borrowers but also has relationships with specialist lenders. Cameron has experience in advising clients on syndicated and bilateral financing arrangements for general corporate and acquisition financings and project finance transactions.
Practice head(s):
Scott Cameron
Key clients
Boutique Hotel Group Limited
LWC Drinks Ltd
National Westminster Bank Plc
Ascot Bridging Finance Limited
HSBC UK Bank plc
Work highlights
- Advised Boutique Hotel Group Limited in relation to a facility provided by Barclays Bank PLC.
- Advised LWC Drinks Limited in relation to a £20m CLBILS facility provided by National Westminster Bank Plc.
- Advised Ascot Bridging Finance as borrower in relation to its senior and junior wholesale funding package.
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP's banking and real estate finance team acts for banks, property lenders and independent lenders in a variety of matters related to real estate transactions. George MacMillan leads the practice, drawing on expertise in development and investment issues. Alison Kellett frequently supports lenders with property acquisitions and re-mortgaging work, while Meave O’Neill focuses on financing matters in the retail, commercial and residential sectors.
Practice head(s):
George MacMillan
Other key lawyers:
Alison Kellett; Meave O’Neill
Testimonials
‘Quality and professionalism of the staff.’
‘Kuits are a firm that punches above its weight. They have very experienced partners who are accessible. They are commercial in their approach and client service is very important to them. They develop their people in a consistent manner which is very important to us as we focus on long-term partnership relationships – therefore quality and consistency of people is very important to us. They have utilised technology to remain in close contact with clients and to continue to collaborate with us and our customers where we instruct Kuits to act for us.’
Key clients
Aldermore Bank plc
Allied Irish Bank (AIB)
Atom Bank
Cambridge & Counties Bank Limited
Close Brothers Bridging Finance (Manchester)
Handelsbanken AB
Investec Bank plc
Lloyds Banking Group plc
Natwest
Oaknorth Bank Plc
Recognise Bank Ltd
Roma Finance
Santander
Shawbrook
The Royal Bank of Scotland
TLT
TLT is active in the real estate and housing finance space in addition to taking on corporate finance and lending work. ‘Top-rate’ practitioner Paul Crighton leads the practice and has broad experience including working on complex solvent corporate restructuring mandates and funding packages for regulated businesses. Crighton is also involved in the firm’s green finance work. The team regularly uses legal technology to prepare bespoke lending agreements.
Practice head(s):
Paul Crighton
Other key lawyers:
Paul Brock
Testimonials
‘My dealings with the TLT’s banking team are via Paul Crighton who I have known for over 10 years. I always find him top rate. Knows his stuff and happy to help.’
Key clients
HSBC Bank UK plc
Handelsbanken plc
NatWest
Santander UK plc
The Co-operative Bank p.l.c.
Allied London
Bank of Baroda
Landmark Investments Group
Private White
Work highlights
- Advised Landmark Investments Group on its seminal £70m senior debt facilities with a major debt fund and major UK bank.
- Acted for a leading FCA regulated insurance platform provider on raising £20m of unitranche and senior debt.
- Acted for a major UK bank on restructuring its £30m debt pile in a national recycling group following a £100m Enterprise Value private equity transaction.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP focuses on the real estate finance market, acting on a range of matters including property investment financings, development finance work and bridging finance matters. The team also has notable expertise in housing finance mandates and has helped to develop standards and frameworks on issues of finance for social and affordable housing. Neil Waller is at the helm of the group, with a client base of regional and national lenders and borrowers. Eleanor James, who is praised for her ‘excellent knowledge of the debt capital markets‘, continues to be a name to watch.
Practice head(s):
Neil Waller
Other key lawyers:
Eleanor James
Testimonials
‘Supportive; go the extra mile.’
‘Flexibility and taking the initiative are standout qualities. The team is very knowledgeable and can bring in experts in related fields to assist when and where necessary.’
‘All the partners are extremely knowledgeable in their respective fields and bring this expertise to bear constructively.’
‘The team have an excellent understanding of the sector nuances and are able to support negotiations in respect of banking and debt capital market products. Thorough understanding of the legal process.’
‘Eleanor James has excellent knowledge of the debt capital markets from a legal perspective which enables her to support complex transactions in a short time period. Always makes herself available to answer questions, even out of hours. This comprehensive knowledge and flexible approach allowed us to advance from starting the documentation to launching the deal in just 4 weeks.’
Key clients
Catalyst Housing Limited
Orbit Capital plc
Two Rivers Housing
Eastlight Community Homes Limited
The Guinness Partnership Limited
Hartlepool Borough Council
Community Gateway Association Limited
Jigsaw Homes Group Limited
North Star Housing Group
LINQ Housing PLC
Work highlights
- Advised Jigsaw Homes Group Limited on a complete restructure its funding arrangements which helped the group generate £715m to build 2,100 homes in three years and 800 homes per year thereafter.
- Advised Community Gateway Association Limited on a £95m private placement and related £115m restructure of bank funding to support its business plan ambitions.
- Advised Catalyst Housing Limited on a new £50m revolving credit facility which was its first social-performance linked loan.
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP stands out for its work on public sector finance mandates and has been particularly active for accredited funders in relation to Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes (CBILS), recovery loans and the related government guarantees underpinning the schemes. Practice head Patricia Grinyer is highly active in the public sector finance arena; her expertise includes advising on the impact of Brexit on structural funds.
Practice head(s):
Patricia Grinyer
Other key lawyers:
Gary Jones
Testimonials
‘Responsive, commercially astute, not just the typical lawyers – able to provide pragmatic astute advice.’
‘Patricia Grinyer exemplifies all the qualities needed in a 21st century lawyer, an exceptional lawyer who is the least lawyerly type you will encounter.’
Key clients
Maven Capital Partners
Stoneycroft Developments
AIB Bank Plc
FSE Group
Lloyds Bank Plc
Clydesdale Bank
Bibby Marine
Santander Bank
Business Enterprise Fund (BEF)
Unity Trust Bank
Work highlights
- Advising Maven Capital Partners on the Coronavirus guarantee provided by government to support Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans.
- Advising Stoneycroft Development on the ongoing funding and security in connection with Stoneycroft city centre developments in Manchester.
- Advised the Business Enterprise Fund on the £7.5m funding from ethical business bank, Unity Trust Bank.