Muckle LLP’s banking and restructuring team assists an array of clients with with banking, finance, and fundraising advice. The team in Newcastle is led by the ‘outstanding’ Louise Duffy, who provides 'excellent sector knowledge, sound commercial judgement and exceptional client service’. The recent arrival of Andrew Coddington, a specialist in project finance, trade and acquisition finance, as well as energy finance, adds a dimension to the practice. Associate Zoe Ditch supports on both lender and borrower projects. The team regularly collaborate with the real estate finance team, co-led by Gail Bennett and Claire Naughten, for property finance transactions.
Banking and finance in North
Muckle LLP
Practice head(s):
Louise Duffy
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Coddington; Zoe Ditch; Gail Bennett; Claire Naughten
Testimonials
‘Muckle has a relatively small team, but they are top class. They take the time to understand complex issues and to fund pragmatic solutions. In terms of Real Estate Finance, the integration with property and construction teams is seamless’
‘Louise Duffy and Zoe Ditch are excellent lawyers. Very easy to work with.’
‘The team at Muckle LLP are very proactive in the local market and have a very good reputation. Within their Banking team, they have a broad range of experienced individuals with specialisms in a number of different sectors.’
‘I find all of the individuals within the Banking team very easy to work with. They all have a can-do attitude and are willing to share ideas & solutions to get the best outcomes for clients. A lot of my interaction tends to be with Louise Duffy who is very approachable.’
‘Excellent interaction with their professional partners, good levels of support and guidance through a transaction.’
‘Louise Duffy is outstanding. She has excellent sector knowledge, sound commercial judgement and provides exceptional client service.’
‘Andrew Coddington is reassuringly responsive and provides great technical support on complex deals.’
‘The whole team is excellent. Everyone gives a quick & practical answer as well as making sure transitions are on track and managed. The team are always proactive, approachable and professional. Louise Duffy has been exceptional, and we would not have achieved completion on land acquisition and bridge funding without her attention to detail, commitment to driving the projects forward along with her expertise and knowledge.’
Key clients
Kitwave Group plc
HSBC UK Bank plc
Santander UK Bank plc
Hampshire Trust Bank plc
The Lakes Distillery Company plc
Vertu Motors PLC
The English Sports Council
Wilton Engineering Services Limited
National Westminster Bank plc
Vertu Motors plc
Work highlights
- Advised Vertu Motors plc on its acquisition of Helston Garages Group Limited, including all associated funding requirements.
- Assisted Kitwave Group plc with two acquisitions (M J Baker Foodservice Limited and West Country Food Holdings Limited) as well as the funding and diligence associated with those.
- Supported the Lakes Distillery Company plc on a refinance with Beechbrook Capital, redemption of bank facilities, conversion of future fund investment and purchase of freehold property.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Noted as a ‘down to earth team’ which has ‘excellent knowledge of lending requirements’, Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based banking and finance team advises a range of clients, including institutional lenders, fund managers, public sector lenders, private individuals and charities, on corporate and leveraged lending structures, asset backed lending and real estate finance. The firm also assists non-bank lenders and debt funds with development and growth capital investment. Team head Imogen Holland is a key contact for private equity and venture capital-backed borrowers, who seek advice on private equity transactions and structuring priorities; he also works on acquisition and real estate finance mandates. High street banks and funders call upon Simon Errington for support on property finance, development finance and investment portfolios. Associate Rosemary Moore is a key support in the team.
Practice head(s):
Imogen Holland
Other key lawyers:
Simon Errington; Rosemary Moore
Testimonials
‘Down to earth team that is very well connected with excellent knowledge of lending requirements of banking and finance houses locally which makes for a swifter negotiation on terms.’
‘Imogen Holland is a highly experienced, pragmatic partner who leads negotiations exceptionally well. She is always prepared to go the extra mile for clients, often working to tight deadlines.’
Key clients
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
National Westminster Bank plc
Santander UK plc
Lloyds Bank plc
Develop North PLC
Tier One Capital Limited
GB Bank Limited
Clydesdale Bank plc trading as Yorkshire Bank
Virgin Money
North East LEP
OakNorth Bank plc
Inn Collection Group
NAC
Work highlights
- Advised National Westminster Bank plc on the site development of Newton Hall (Northumberland) limited by preparing loan and security documentation, as well as undertaking diligence on the property and working to satisfy the conditions precedent.
- Advised OakNorth Bank plc on its facilities to Europa Wools Limited which were provided to allow a shareholder to take 100% control of the borrower and the exit of another shareholder.
- Advised National Westminster Bank plc on security structures, guarantee arrangements and companies act compliance in relation to facilities for Doxford Barns Limited and R J Shell Limited.
Burnetts
Hailed for its ‘excellent speed of response and depth of knowledge of the bank’s requirements‘, Burnetts provides a range of lenders advice in real estate, agriculture and healthcare banking matters. The team, based in Newcastle, is led by Sarah Willshire, who is experienced in assisting lenders in property finance and banking mandates; she works alongside recently promoted legal director, Caroline Swift, on funding work in the healthcare space for banks. Legal director Rebecca Joy and recent promotion to partner level in April 2023 Nicola Nutley are key contacts for lenders and borrowers.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Willshire
Other key lawyers:
Nicola Nutley; Rebecca Joy; Caroline Swift
Testimonials
‘Banking team is very efficient, approachable and proactive.’
‘They are happy to have a no fee chat pre-instruction to ensure that everyone understands the scope of work and requirements. My main contact being Sarah Willshire.’
‘The team is differentiated from others in my experience by the excellent speed of response and depth of knowledge of the bank’s requirements. The team also provide competitive fixed fee quotes and stick to them.’
Key clients
Lloyds Bank plc
Bank of Scotland plc
Clydesdale Bank plc
Virgin Money
The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation plc
Cumberland Building Society
Handelsbanken
National Westminster Bank plc
Atom Bank plc
Oxbury Bank plc
Warrendale Group
Work highlights
- Oversaw Lloyds Bank lending £1.3m on a dental acquisition and hive up involving multiple share purchase agreements and a complex security structure.
- Advised a longstanding agricultural client on a £34m finance involving security over farms and renewables equipment.
- Acted for a large accountancy group on a £2.9m development loan to fund the construction of new head office premises.
Sintons LLP
‘Exceptional lawyer’ Jane Meikle, based in Newcastle heads Sintons LLP’s banking practice. With the support of corporate and real estate team members, namely property finance specialist David Ferguson, Meikle advises borrowers, such as property holders in the real estate and hospitality space, on refinancing premises. The finance team also takes on acquisition finance mandates to support management buyouts, and refinances following client restructurings. A key feature of the practice is the funding advice it provides within the healthcare sector.
Practice head(s):
Jane Meikle
Other key lawyers:
David Ferguson
Testimonials
‘Extremely approachable. Friendly in manner and very knowledgeable. Inspires confidence.’
‘Jane Meikle is an exceptional lawyer, who invests time to ensure that the client is clear on developments. Very approachable and nothing seems too much.’
‘I have always found the team at Sintons extremely good, they have always helped our businesses through the endless task of dealing with banks.’
‘They have always taken the stress out of the deals.’
‘Jane Meikle is always first class. She is the first person I call.’
Key clients
Lloyds Bank plc
National Westminster Bank plc
Atom Bank plc
AIB Group (UK) p.l.c.
Handelsbanken plc
Bank of Scotland plc
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Work highlights
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors LLP leverages the expertise of the head of the corporate team, Paul Hughes, and experienced corporate practitioner, Luke Philpott, in order to advise clients on institutional debt and equity raises. The firm advises regional, national and offshore investors on investments in the UK, and routinely sits on panels of private equity, venture capital and asset management firms.
Practice head(s):
Paul Hughes
Other key lawyers:
Luke Philpott
Testimonials
‘Mincoff’s efforts so far on client delivery have been great – the corporate team has done a good job on several projects, firstly to act as a pragmatic lawyer in certain negotiations and also to manage an efficient process across other parts of the process including legal documentation turnaround.’
‘The team operate a fair and transparent billing process and the team operate collaboratively.’
‘Luke Philpott is highly recommended, and I have consistently passed on good recommendations to our investee businesses. The differentiating factor is Luke and his team operate to provide long-standing relationships rather than a transactional deal.’
Key clients
Mercia Fund Management
Pembroke VCT
Anticus Partners
Foresight Group
The Capital Partnership
Enterprise Ventures
Oak North Bank
Reward Finance Group
Singha Estate
Gort Holdings
Arbatel Capital
The Inn Collection Group
EBAC Ltd
Cairn Hotel Group
Northern Bear PLC
ART Health Solutions
The Station Hotel Limited
Amplyfi
Lugano Group
Danieli Group
Dexory
Lixir Drinks
Work highlights
- Advised Singha Estate on the refinance and restructure of its £106m secured debt facilities relating to its UK-based Jupiter Hotels portfolio.
- Advised Mercia Fund Management on its investment into Sen Corporation Limited.
- Advised The Capital Partnership on its investment into Plexaa Limited.