Headquartered in Bristol, Burges Salmon LLP fields a ‘highly collaborative and effective team’. The firm continues to be involved in a number of high profile transactions and restructurings across the market, and has recently been increasingly involved in sustainable financings and green loans. Andrew Eaton leads the team in which Richard Leeming sports a particular focus on real estate finance while Rachael Ruane frequently handles corporate and leveraged finance matters. Katie Allen is regularly sought out by clients in the hotel sector as well as in regards to student accommodation. May 2021 also saw the promotions of Victoria Allsopp and Emily Scaife to partner positions within the team.

The ‘very pragmatic and easy to work with’ banking team at Osborne Clarke LLP advises both borrowers and lenders with sector expertise that spans technology and media, energy, financial services, and real estate. Acquisition finance and multi-bank syndicated lending are routinely handled by the Bristol-based team, which counts leading international banks as well as challenger and sector-focused banks amongst its clients. Practice head Tom Bussy splits his time between London and the South West, specialising in acquisition and corporate finance. Project finance expert Caroline Saul, who fields extensive know-how in the areas of energy and decarbonisation, as well as the ‘technically brilliant‘ associate director Tom Berisford are further key contacts.

Real estate finance, corporate finance, structured finance, as well as third sector finance constitute the main areas of focus for Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's banking and financial services practice group. The firm is mostly involved on the lender side of transactions, although it also acts for borrowers, and frequently handles cross-border matters. Philip Withey leads the Bristol team and advises on security and collateral issues, risk allocation, and structuring, amongst others. Tom Caplen is well versed in real estate finance, often in regard to renewable projects such as onshore wind and waste-to-energy projects. Julian Kinsey retired in April 2021.

Praised for being ‘very commercial and approachable’, Ashfords LLP’s banking and finance practice fields a ‘great team of professional and personable solicitors’. With offices in Exeter, Bristol, Taunton and Plymouth, the firm has a strong South West presence, complimented by its regular involvement in cross-border transactions. Practice head Rebecca Dury, transactional specialist Ed Hobbs, James Heath, who focuses on the property aspects of transactions, as well as project finance, energy and infrastructure finance expert Clare Brewer are the key names.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's banking and finance group focuses on international transactions on the one hand and on advising borrowers on the other hand. Based in Cheltenham, the team is led by Richard Norton, who specialises in loan facilities and securities and brings to bear in-depth expertise acting on matters involving the Middle East. Real estate finance is handled by Naomi Nettleton, while legal Director Edward Robinson is frequently sought out for his experience in aircraft security and loans. Daniel Moore was promoted to partner in May 2021 with particular know-how regarding insolvency and distressed situations.

Foot Anstey‘s offering in the banking and finance sector covers the full range of transactional, investment, and project finance support. Alongside its strengths in corporate lending, real estate, and development finance, the firm is also increasingly involved in Islamic finance. Katie-Jane Rees spearheads the practice and acts for both lenders and borrowers in national and cross-border transactions. The energy and sustainability sector as well as general project finance fall into the portfolio of Chris White. In July 2021, senior associate Toby Larkham joined the firm from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP with a focus on real estate finance, private equity debt work, and leveraged finance.

TLT handles a wide range of banking and finance matters out of its Bristol office, including projects, acquisitions, real estate, and energy. Gary Roscoe has considerable experience in clean energy project finance, and leads the practice together with Jon Stewart, whose areas of focus are corporate lending, acquisition finance, and real estate finance. International banking matters fall into Peter Carney‘s area of expertise.

Lenders, high street banks and private banks are amongst the client portfolio of Clarke Willmott LLP‘s banking and finance practice. The team sports extensive experience in dealing with real estate portfolio financing, the agricultural finance sector, as well as development finance. Roger Seaton leads the team, which is based in Taunton and Bristol. Commercial disputes and professional negligence specialist Alex Jakubowski and Rod Lloyd-Jones, who focuses on agricultural matters, are further key contacts.

Thrings LLP advises both lenders and borrowers on matters such as equity investments and general commercial lending. Mike Tomlin is the key contact leading the practice from Bristol and sports a particular specialism in the telecommunication sector. The firm also has a focus on the health and care sectors, and is regularly sought out by lenders in this field.

Trethowans LLP‘s banking and finance team provides clients with support across a range of matters, with a specific focus on acquisition finance, property and development finance, and debt restructuring. Islamic finance, receivables and asset based lending as well as agriculture and rural property finance are further areas of expertise for the Southampton and Bournemouth-based practice. Steve Cole, who joined the firm in April 2021 from Blake Morgan LLP, leads the team. Nick Gent and Emma Earp are further key members, both advising on a wide variety of transactional matters.