Hall Of Fame

Banking and finance in West Midlands

DLA Piper

DLA Piper’s breadth of experience and expertise ensures they have the capacity to manage large scale international deals, involving issues such as syndicated corporate finance and real estate finance, amongst others. The team also regularly acts on leverage deals by unitranche providers. Stephen Bottley helms the practice; his variety of experience includes the financing of large corporate groups, venture finance and asset-based funding. Will Sherwin specialises in leveraged, corporate and real estate finance transactions whilst senior associate Gemma Rooney bolsters the team with her expertise in real estate finance.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Bottley; David Trott; Sarah Day


Other key lawyers:

Will Sherwin; Gemma Rooney; Aino Miles; James Watson


Testimonials

‘The Partner is always available to speak to, in the event that issues arise. All queries are dealt with in a timely manner.’

‘Stephen Bottley is always a pleasure to work with and at hand to explain any new issues or legislation that as a non-lawyer I am unsure of.’

 

Key clients

Dignity Group


Investec Bank plc


RPS Group plc


CVS Group PLC


Barclays Bank PLC


HSBC UK Bank plc


Silicon Valley Bank


Hercules Capital


Work highlights


  • Acted for a club of 6 Lenders, led by Bank of Ireland as Agent in respect of the £250m plus £110m accordion financing to Midland based global industrials and safety provider Hill & Smith plc.
  • Represented Elliot Advisors in relation to securing a substantial amount of debt financing to support its acquisition of specialist finance provider, Enra.
  • Acted for Natwest Bank and Natwest Markets in providing financing to Acalis care to fund the acquisition of Balhousie Care Group, a well-invested collection of 28 care homes operating in the elderly and specialist care space in the UK.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Regularly sought out by stakeholders in the leveraged finance market, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is capable of handling particularly complex leveraged finance transactions as well as complex funding structures. The team also has notable expertise in relation to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability-linked loans, and asset-based lending mandates. The team is led by Patrick Davis, who specialises in leveraged finance and corporate lending work. Ben Tumelty‘s wealth of experience encompasses leveraged finance, corporate lending and asset-based lending.

Practice head(s):

Patrick Davis


Other key lawyers:

Ben Tumelty; Lisa Boyle; Kate Clarke


Key clients

Shawbrook Bank


Arcline Investment Management


Santander


Eurocell


Bloor Homes / Triumph Motorcycles


Livingbridge


Sovereign Capital


HSBC


Barclays


NatWest


Work highlights


Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG’s fields of expertise include corporate banking, funds and debt capital markets work, among other areas and the team has considerable experience in various sectors, such as healthcare, social housing and manufacturing. The team is led by Chris Brierley, who has notable expertise in regard to lending in the low carbon and social housing spaces, while Navin Prabhakar is the firm’s key contact for clearing bank work, as well as offering considerable experience with banking-related M&A, and corporate finance deals. Legal director Angela Rawlins is particularly capable in the social housing finance space.

Practice head(s):

Chris Brierley


Other key lawyers:

Navin Prabhakar; Angela Rawlins


Key clients

Sanctuary Group


Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc


The Midcounties Co-operative Group


Warwickshire County Cricket Club


Lloyds Development Capital


CBPE Capital


Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Ltd


AIB Group (UK) plc


HSBC UK Bank plc


Rigby Group (RG) plc


H & T Group plc


Work highlights


  • Advised Sanctuary Housing Association on a £150m bond tap.
  • Advised Rigby Private Equity Limited on the sale of a cybersecurity and intelligent networking solutions business to a European private equity backed distributor.
  • Advised Halfords on a pre-acquisition corporate re-organisation and subsequent acquisition of Lodge Tyre Company Limited.

Pinsent Masons LLP

The Pinsent Masons LLP banking practice, which is led by David Doogan, has notable expertise regarding asset-based lending transactions, as well as leveraged finance, debt capital markets and securitisation transactions. The practice, noted for its ‘excellent service’, handles matters for clients from a variety of sectors, including manufacturing and technology. Victoria Baker bolsters the team with her specific experience in relation to structured finance products, including both lending transactions and securitisations and private placements, while Esther Parkes primarily handles corporate, acquisition finance and real estate finance transactions. Associate Oliver Morgan is capable of handling issues arising from corporate lending, real estate finance and leveraged finance.

Practice head(s):

David Doogan


Other key lawyers:

Edward Sunderland; Victoria Baker; Esther Parkes; Oliver Morgan


Testimonials

‘For me the benefits are around sensible practical advice coupled with a strong understanding of our business and what is important to me on these deals.’

‘David Doogan and Oliver Morgan are a great team who consistently provide excellent service.’

Key clients

Allied Irish Bank


Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank (Trading as Virgin Money)


Frontier Development Capital


HSBC Bank plc


National Westminster Bank Plc


Orders of St John Care Trust


Succession Group Limited


RBS Invoice Finance Limited


Specialist Motor Finance Limited


The Royal Bank of Scotland plc


Work highlights


  • Advised Hill & Smith PLC (a FTSE 250 company), an international group creating sustainable infrastructure and safe transport, on the refinancing of its £250m multi-currency revolving credit facility with its banking group of six leading international banks that provided the clients with certainty of its funding to support its growth opportunities.
  • Acted for a UK Clearing Bank in relation to a new revolving credit facility to Wyatt Homes, a housebuilder operating in Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset to provide it with funding for site purchases and development costs.
  • Acted for City Electrical Factors Limited on an amendment and extension of existing ABL Facility Agreement to increase the facility and bring in PNC as a syndicate member alongside Wells Fargo.

Gateley Legal

Gateley Legal is vastly experienced in the areas of private equity and acquisition finance, as well as acting for various asset-based lending (ABL) funders in the market. Team leader Andrew Madden is involved with structured finance and corporate lending deals, including leveraged buy-outs, project finance and restructuring. Chris Jones handles a variety of financing transactions, being particularly experienced in real estate and structured finance among other areas, while senior associate Alison Davidson-Cox specialises in acquisition, corporate and leveraged finance. Senior associate Sharon Malhi advises on corporate banking transactions, with an emphasis on real estate and development finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Madden


Other key lawyers:

Chris Jones; Alison Davidson-Cox; Sharon Malhi


Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


Santander UK plc


Lloyds Bank plc


Clydesdale Bank plc


The Royal Bank of Scotland plc/ National Westminster Bank plc


AIB Group (UK) plc


Lloyds Development Capital


Maven Debt Finance


Shard Credit Partners Limited


Leumi ABL Limited


NorthEdge Capital LLP


Connection Capital LLP


BGF Investments LP


United Tooling Solutions Limited


OakNorth Bank plc


Frank Roberts & Sons Limited


Merchant Money Limited


Beechbrook Capital LLP


Palatine Private Equity LLP


Frontier Development Capital Limited


Work highlights


Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP is experienced in handling real estate finance and corporate banking matters, alongside a particular expertise in Islamic finance, having been called upon by government agencies to advise on the impact changes in legislation. The practice, which is capable of offering a ‘personalised service’, is jointly led by 'consummate professional' Naomi Tudor, whose expertise includes corporate and property finance work on bilateral or syndicated transactions, and Mohammed Saqub, who has a key focus on Islamic finance, as well as related commercial property investment transactions and various development transactions.

Practice head(s):

Naomi Tudor; Mohammed Saqub


Other key lawyers:

Chris Gayle; Hannah Pickering; Stephen Lane; Afren Cole


Testimonials

‘Personalised service.’

‘Exceptional knowledge of sector. Supportive and advisory when needs require. Proactive with support.’

‘Naomi Tudor – exceptional knowledge, advice and support.’

‘The team have a diversity of skills and all departments collaborate to bring the correct advice and guidance to the Bank and client that is possible.’

‘I mainly deal with Naomi Tudor and couldn’t recommend her highly enough. A consummate professional, knowledgeable, provides constructive feedback, clear and in a format that is easy to understand.’

Key clients

Lloyds Bank plc


AIB Group (UK) Plc


Santander UK Plc


Cynergy Bank


The Charity Bank Limited


Yorkshire Bank/Virgin Money


Habib Bank Zurich plc


Handelsbanken


Leumi ABL


United Trust Bank Plc


Aldermore Bank Plc


Gatehouse Bank Plc


Al Rayan Bank Plc


Westgate Healthcare Group


Cambridge Capital Partners Limited


Boost & Co Limited


Sherwood Oak Homes Limited


Qatar International Bank Plc


OFFA


Primary Finance


Work highlights


  • Advised this year on close to £500m worth of retail Islamic mortgages.

Shoosmiths LLP

Shoosmiths LLP’s team is experienced in asset-based lending, leveraged and acquisition finance, corporate banking and real estate finance. The practice is led by Jon Bew, who is strong in addressing issues related to invoice finance, asset based lending, inventory finance and distribution finance. David Adams strengthens the team with his broad experience in areas such as real estate finance, domestic and international acquisition finance, and pensions finance, while Natalie Barnes specialises in asset-based lending.

Practice head(s):

Jon Bew


Other key lawyers:

David Adams; Natalie Barnes


Testimonials

‘Shoosmiths provide a level of service that goes beyond their competitors and have provided advice and training to our organisation which was very well received.’

‘We receive regular insights from them as well as a very handy legislation tracker.’

‘Natalie Barnes has been particularly impressive. She is always very efficient, helpful, practical and robust in her advice, which makes her a pleasure to work with.’

‘Most important to us is that the team has a great deal of experience operating in our sector. As a result, they are able to help us navigate through transactions by providing sound advice and workable solutions.’

‘They always provide a team to work on a file, so resourcing and response times are not an issue.’

‘It’s the level of sector experience that makes the partnership valuable to us.’

‘They are proactive, informative, helpful, efficient and always willing to fight our corner.’

‘Jon Bew is our main contact, and I have known Jon for a number of years and know what quality of service and input we will get when he is acting for us.’

Key clients

Santander Bank Plc


Investec Bank Plc


ABN AMRO


IGF Business Credit Limited


Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited


Shawbrook Bank Limited


Secure Trust Bank Plc


Close Brothers


Novuna


First Southern National Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised IGF Business Credit Limited on an ABL facility to McLaren Applied Limited.
  • Advised Praetura Commercial Finance on its £5.3m financing of Egertons Recovery.

Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs is a firm with expertise in debt capital markets, project finance, investment transactions and funds work, alongside strengths within the pensions and sports sectors, with particular emphasis on the more niche area of football finance. The practice is spearheaded by ‘fantastic’ Roy Grist, who specialises in international and national acquisition finance, real estate finance and asset-based lending.

Practice head(s):

Roy Grist


Testimonials

‘We work seamlessly with Squire Patton Boggs, they understand our business and our requirements. Thanks to that, they provide tailored advice that ensure we know of all the risks but also focus our attention on what really matters.’

‘They are friendly and approachable, they listen, they are straight to the point, and they take responsibility and make the deal happen.’

‘Roy Grist is a fantastic lawyer who can easily explain complex areas of law with ease.’

‘Roy Grist is very easy to get on with, makes the process easy for all sides, and he and his team just get the job done.’

‘The team at Squire Paton Boggs have a great work ethic and will go above and beyond to provide their clients with a response any time of day or night.’

‘They provide down to earth, straight forward advice on the real key areas.’

‘The team bring out all the pertinent points in a streamlined manner, which makes any process efficient and cost-effective.’

‘Excellent communicators, and Roy Grist made himself available at any time to discuss pressing matters.’

Key clients

Lloyds Banking Group


National Westminster Bank Plc


West Bromwich Albion Football Club


Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club


Endless LLP


Hackman Capital Partners


Envirogen Group


Leonardo Hotels Group


The PNC Financial Services Group Inc


Gordon Brothers


Rcapital Partners


Work highlights


  • Advised Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club in connection with a financing by a syndicate of banks comprising HSBC UK Bank Plc, Macquarie Bank Limited and National Bank of Kuwait (International) Plc and backed by UKEF.
  • Advised Friend MTS Limited in connection with a refinance, following an investment by private equity firm, NorthEdge, a few months earlier.
  • Advised Busycape Limited (part of the Leonardo Hotels Group) in connection with its finance arrangements with an Israeli bank, Bank Hapoalim B.M., to assist with its proposed construction of a new hotel in Dublin.

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP, a team that offers an ‘excellent service’, undertakes a broad range of work that encompasses structured finance, private equity funding and general corporate financing for clients that include lenders and corporates. It works in multiple sectors, notably construction, energy and infrastructure. Emma Hinton leads the practice, possessing expertise with non-bank funders and health and social care, as well as a focus on ESG. Paul Ray is experienced in litigation and sustainable finance, and Paul Hill specialises in corporate lending and infrastructure finance.

Practice head(s):

Shaun McCabe (Nottingham); Emma Hinton


Other key lawyers:

Paul Ray; Paul Hill


Testimonials

‘For us, Browne Jacobson provides excellent service and quality at a sensible cost and gets this balance right.’

‘Paul Hill is clearly extremely capable in his area of expertise, but it is his personal approach that is the most refreshing.’

‘It is always a pleasure to give Paul Hill a call, catch up on what has been happening, discuss the topic at hand and knowing that he will come back with a pragmatic solution that fits us and our business.’

Key clients

HSBC


Virgin Money/Clydesdale


NatWest


Santander


Shawbrook


RBSIF


BREAL Zeta CF


Investec


BOOST&Co


Rcapital


Work highlights


DWF

Key work undertaken by DWF is often within the real estate, hospitality and financial services sectors, with particular emphasis on real estate finance transactions. Richard Holmes commands the practice, notably focusing on commercial real estate finance and handling new lending work alongside this.

Practice head(s):

Richard Holmes


Other key lawyers:

Melanie Williams


Key clients

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group


Lloyds Banking Group


Unity Trust Bank plc


ICICI Bank


Nationwide Building Society


West Bromwich Commercial Limited


NM Rothschild & Sons Limited


Ashall Group of Companies


LendInvest Limited


Cannock Group


Work highlights


  • Advised the lender on an ESG £95m term loan facility in connection with its first energy storage lending transaction.
  • Undertook a large-scale LIBOR repapering exercise for clearing bank on its property backed loan portfolio utilising DWF’s Legal Advisory and Mindcrest divisions.
  • Advised a syndicate of lenders on a £52m term loan facility secured against a large property portfolio.

Freeths LLP

The Freeths LLP team has particular expertise in regard to acting for funders in healthcare, as well as the manufacturing and construction sectors, to name a few. Key contact James Dyson specialises in corporate lending transactions, such as acquisition finance and leveraged buy-outs, for a variety of clients.

Practice head(s):

Chris Freeston (Nottingham)


Other key lawyers:

James Dyson; Ateeq Ahmed; Charlotte Beddows; Katherine Ferrari-Bradley


Key clients

Allied Irish Bank


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 Beechbrook Capital on the provision of finance facilities to Retail & Asset Solutions Group to support a management buy-out and the exit of incumbent private equity investor, LDC.
  • Advised Clydesdale Bank on the provision of senior term loan and working capital facilities to a private equity (NVM) backed newco to support its acquisition of specialist electronics business Easby Group.
  • Advised Beechbrook Capital on the extension of its existing term loan facility to United Tooling Solutions to support the acquisition of three complementary businesses.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP handles transactions and financings for clients that include local and national banks, corporates, and universities. The practice is led by David Varnham, whose capabilities include structured and corporate finance.

Practice head(s):

David Varnham


Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


University of Wolverhampton


Wells Fargo Bank N.A.


Solent University


Work highlights


  • Advised HSBC on its funding to Rab / Lowe Alpine.
  • Advised HSBC on its funding to Rotala PLC.
  • Advised University of Wolverhampton on its funding from Barclays Bank plc.

Aaron & Partners LLP

Aaron & Partners LLP‘s banking and finance team is part of its corporate and commercial team, capable of acting for both borrowers and lenders. Practice head Hugh Strickland routinely handles shareholders agreements, joint ventures and share schemes. Associate Zoe Lloyd has led Santander panel matters, and associate Hannah Flynn specialises in property aspects of banking and finance matters.

Practice head(s):

Hugh Strickland


Other key lawyers:

Zoe Lloyd; Hannah Flynn


Testimonials

‘The team is very focused and efficient.’

‘Hugh Strickland and Zoe Lloyd are both very accessible and have a genuine client-oriented and problem-solving focus.’

‘The team are always available for help and advice and are very approachable with a wide range of expertise.’

‘Zoe Lloyd is very thorough and provides excellent service and advice on all the cases she works on for us.’

‘Hugh Strickland is very knowledgeable and approachable in all aspects of corporate finance, and mutual clients speak very highly of him.’

Key clients

Meatpoint BV


Tritech Group


Different Dog


Santander UK plc


Fullbrook Thorpe Investments LLP


Work highlights


Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited often acts on behalf of lenders, advising them in relation to finance for corporate acquisitions, corporate restructurings and management buyouts (MBOs). Colin Rodrigues leads the team that ‘consistently exceeds expectations’, advising on corporate and real estate-related banking matters.

Practice head(s):

Colin Rodrigues


Other key lawyers:

Harminder Sandhu


Testimonials

‘The Hawkins Hatton team are very proactive, collaborative and practical.’

‘They double head transactions, so there is always someone on hand to help, answer queries and provide practical guidance. They are very responsive.’

‘Colin Rodrigues is a first-class professional adviser and an entrepreneur – he grasps issues quickly and outlines options and next steps with appropriate recommendations. Always available and on hand to help get deals done!’

‘They are constantly looking to innovate and push the deal forward with seeking solutions before presenting any issues raised during enquiries, a unique selling point not witnessed with other solicitors I have personally experienced.’

‘Hawkins Hatton excel in service delivery, the speed of their response is superb from first referral right through to case completion, and throughout their communication is best in class. They excel at keeping professionals as well as clients up to date at all times.’

‘The partners are very well-connected right across the professionals networks of the Midlands, London and elsewhere. As a result, they can offer unique solutions to a variety of client needs, be it initial advice right through to a niche international transaction.’

‘Everyone is fully aware of case progressions and so can pick up and react accordingly. Highly experienced, collaborative and professional team who are a pleasure to deal with in all interactions.’

‘Colin Rodrigues and Harminder Sandhu are stand-outs however the whole team give exemplary service and support in each & every interaction.’

Key clients

HSBC (UK) Bank Plc


NatWest Bank PLC


Royal Bank of Scotland PLC


Lloyds Bank


CAPC UK Limited


Frontier Development Capital


Finance Birmingham


Barclays Bank PLC


Empire Finance


Invest & Fund


Work highlights


  • Acted for HSBC in relation to the acquisition of a number of Caravan Park sites in or around Wales with finance ranging from £4-£7m.
  • Acted for NatWest in respect of an acquisition coupled with the refinance of an existing property in the healthcare sector where the total finance exceeded £4m.
  • Acted for Lloyds in connection with the purchase of a substantial iconic commercial property located in the Midlands, which was acquired by the borrower in two different entities and the title split to facilitate separate financial support from a second tier lender.