South East

Dentons has advised Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), the Polish development bank, on a long-term investment loan of up to US$60 million granted to the Molo Group, owned by the Slominski family. The financing will be used to build a hotel complex with 251 rooms and suites on Providenciales, the main island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the Caribbean. The buildings will be constructed from equipment and modules manufactured in Poland. “It has been a great pleasure and satisfaction to assist BGK with this prestigious financing transaction, supporting the expansion of Molo Group in their largest investment to date. This project not only promotes Polish exports but also features exceptional hotel developments in some of the most stunning locations in the Caribbean”, said Tomasz Zwoliński, partner in the Banking and Finance practice in Warsaw. The complex includes two modular hotels: the 4-star boutique Indigo hotel and the 5-star Kimpton hotel. Both brands are owned by the international IHG group. The Indigo hotel is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, while the Kimpton is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027. Tomasz Zwoliński supervised and led the cross-border project, advising on English and Polish law matters related to preparing, negotiating and signing the finance documents and securities, which covered five jurisdictions and involved collateral and mechanisms related to hurricane risk. He was supported by Jakub Zienkiewicz (counsel) and Kamil Bator (associate) from the Banking and Finance team in Warsaw. The transaction team also included partner Babette Märzheuser-Wood, Global Head of the Franchise Group, and Agnieszka Nagórska-Kordeczka (counsel), who advised on hotel franchise agreements. Dentons worked alongside teams from Griffiths & Partners, who served as Turks and Caicos counsel, and Massiah Law, acting as Gibraltar law counsel, both members of the Nextlaw referral network. About Dentons Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. dentons.com Media contact Lidia Adamczyk Communications, Marketing & Business Development Manager +48 513 045 352 [email protected]

Ashfords is delighted to have been awarded the British Ports Association Industry Award 2026. The Industry Award recognises associate members whose services, advice or equipment have made a significant impact on the UK ports sector over the past 12 months. Our entry demonstrated the wide range of pro-bono support that we provide to the UK ports sector as well as the high standards of work, innovation, and practical solutions we deliver for port clients. Lara Moore, partner and head of the marine sector at Ashfords said: “We would like to thank the BPA and Industry for recognising Ashfords with this award which reflects the work of colleagues across Ashfords’ marine sector team and recognises the depth of our expertise and longstanding work supporting port and harbour authorities.” Ashfords is recognised nationally for our marine expertise and our work across ports, harbours and coastal developments. Ashfords is currently advising on over £1 billion of port related infrastructure projects. We act for a significant number of ports and harbours across the UK and have a real understanding of the complexities involved in running and managing them.

Ashfords associate Cathryn Butler has won the Fertility Fairness Award hosted by the IVF Network in recognition of her work supporting colleagues experiencing fertility challenges. Having been through her own fertility journey, including both successful and unsuccessful fertility treatment, Cathryn was recognised for her positive action and commitment to raising awareness and improving workplace support for those affected by fertility issues. The Fertility Fairness Awards were held at the Soho Hotel in London during baby loss awareness week and were hosted by the IVF Network, which leads the Fertility in the Workplace Ambassador Scheme. As Ashfords' fertility ambassador, Cathryn regularly engages with the Fertility in the Workplace scheme to learn from other organisations, share ideas and understand how employers can better support colleagues experiencing a wide range of fertility challenges and pathways to parenthood. Cathryn said: “While IVF is often what people think of first when they hear about fertility issues, I am keen to raise awareness that fertility challenges extend far beyond IVF and can affect people in many different ways. They can take many different forms including pregnancy loss, secondary infertility and navigating the path to parenthood for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, with every person’s experience looking different.” Ashfords has several inclusion groups across the firm, including gender and sexuality, menopause and fertility. These initiatives provide an opportunity for people to come together, shape engagement, raise awareness and help deliver an inclusive and supportive environment at Ashfords.

UK law firm Ashfords has again reported strong financial results for 2025/26 with revenue increasing by 6% to £65m. The performance has triggered a 7% firm-wide bonus for the fifth consecutive year. Following significant investment in technology and people, profit rose by 3%. Over the past year, the firm has implemented Thomson Reuters’ Elite 3E platform and enhanced its employee benefits package, including increased pension contributions, expanded income protection, paid volunteering leave and the introduction of an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme. Ashfords CEO, Louise Workman, who last year launched a new five-year strategy for the firm targeting sustainable growth, said: “Following a year of significant investment across the firm, it is particularly pleasing to report such a strong set of results. Just as importantly, these results allow us to reward our people, whose expertise, commitment and dedication are central to our success and the service we deliver to clients. Growth at Ashfords is not about scale alone. It is about growing in a way that strengthens our culture, enhances the quality of our work and creates long-term value for both our clients and our colleagues. This year’s results demonstrate that we are successfully delivering on that ambition.” The firm has also continued to attract a strong cohort of lateral hires at partner level. Recent joiners include Thomas Middlehurst and Emma Harris (private wealth), Alexis Karim (corporate), Ben Xu (immigration), and Ben Hogan and David Cave (projects). Other highlights from the year include being named Law Firm of the Year at Bristol Law Society Awards and being shortlisted for Independent Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer awards.