Firms To Watch: Commercial property: elsewhere in the West Midlands

Helmed by the Leamington Spa-based James Polo-Richards, JG Poole & Co. LLP acts for a number of further education institutions and property managers on various big-ticket residential and commercial development projects.

Commercial property: elsewhere in the West Midlands in West Midlands

Lodders Solicitors LLP

Lodders Solicitors LLP offers a broad range of expertise and advises on residential and commercial developments, business properties and investments. The team acts for landowners, land promoters and independent housebuilders on the full spectrum of land development matters; on the business property side, the team advises on the acquisition, management and disposal of a range of assets. Mark Miller handles various property development transactions, as well as having particular expertise in the renewable energy sector, while James Mottram is well versed in residential developments and acts for national UK house builders. Alistair Frew leads both the business property team and renewables team and routinely handles matters for a roster of clients that includes local house builders and private investors, while the Cheltenham-based Caroline Nemecek heads the town and country homes team, specialising in the sale and purchase of residential properties. Victoria Longmore specialises in planning and highways matters, and senior associate Daniel MacLeod is experienced in large-scale development projects. All named lawyers are based in Stratford-upon-Avon unless noted otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Mark Miller; James Mottram; Alastair Frew; Caroline Nemecek


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Longmore; Daniel Macleod


Testimonials

‘Partners are very responsive, and have excellent detailed knowledge of their respective sectors.’

‘I have been happy to recommend both James Mottram on a number of land deals.’

‘Strong depth of expertise within the team, the team are always our first choice on any complicated matter.’

Key clients

Cameron Homes


Spitfire Bespoke Homes


Campden Road Developments Ltd


Tasley Estates Limited


High Cross Farms Limited


Work highlights


Higgs LLP

Capable of acting for a variety of clients from national retailers and charities to banks and investors, Higgs LLP‘s areas of expertise include strategic land acquisitions, developments and construction matters. The practice is led by Cherry Elliott, who is vastly experienced in the commercial development sector, and also offers expertise in relation to investment matters; she often acts for pubs, licensed occupiers and end users. Sara Shepherd‘s strengths lie in advising large corporate owner occupiers and property investors, and she is well versed in investment sales and purchases. Jen Hicks-Jones is intimately familiar with numerous aspects of commercial property, with particular strengths in the industrial, retail and childcare sectors. Rachael Hobbis heads up the construction offering and has recently been active on a number of regeneration schemes and insurance claims. All named lawyers are based in Brierley Hill.

Practice head(s):

Cherry Elliott


Other key lawyers:

Jen Hicks-Jones; Sara Shepherd; Rachael Hobbis; Sarah Bradford


Key clients

LGC (Holdings) Limited/ Native Antigen Co Limited


Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd and New Hall Estates Limited


Deltron Lifts Limited


Alto Handling Limited


Weleda (U.K.) Limited


A F Blakemore & Son Limited


Dr Mohammed Arif Khan, Dr Sabrina Rashid and Dr Shahin Adam Shaikh


Wayne Plant


The Old Station Nursery Limited


Urban Splash Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Weleda UK Ltd on a lease transaction that has seen the business move its warehousing and customer care team to new premises at Etiquette Park, located off the existing Manners Road Industrial Estate in Ilkeston.
  • Acted for Rubery Owen Holdings Limited and New Hall Estates Limited on the conditional sale of >100 acres of land to Bellway Homes Plc for residential development.
  • Acted for Alto Handling Limited on its strategic acquisition of a freehold industrial Unit in Honiton, Devon to support the client’s strategic business expansion.

MFG Solicitors LLP

The ‘large and capable team’ at MFG Solicitors LLP advises clients on property investments, financings, and regeneration projects and the firm has recently acted for healthcare operators, battery storage developers and industrial park owners on a wide range of real estate matters. Practice head Clare Regan, who splits her time between Worcester and Birmingham, is active in the renewable energy sector, and is particularly involved in large solar and battery storage projects; she is supported by the Birmingham-based Beth Margetson, who strengthens the practice with experience in investments. Brian Flint‘s key strength lies in handling the acquisition and disposal of business premises, and Telford’s David Raymont also deals with sales and acquisitions. The Kidderminster-based Rhiannon Clark leads the residential development team and often acts for contractors and alongside internal projects teams, while Ben Rothery is a name for asset management and the securitisation of property.

Practice head(s):

Clare Regan


Other key lawyers:

Beth Margetson; Brian Flint; David Raymont; Rhiannon Clark; Ben Rothery


Testimonials

‘The MFG Kidderminster office has a large and capable team to call on when the advice sought is not in the area of expertise for a particular person.’

‘They have proved to be a one-stop shop. In the past we used a variety of solicitors, but we found their services inconsistent, whereas with MFG we always get a good level of service.’

Key clients

Unit 67 Limited


Eden Properties (Midlands) Limited (Eden Homes)


Lyreco UK Limited


Marstons


The Clavadell (Guildford) Co. Limited


IHSS Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Unit 67 Limited in relation to its sale of a fully let 40-unit industrial estate, with a leaseback of a unit for the seller.

Wright Hassall LLP

Wright Hassall LLP is active in the residential and commercial, industrial and logistics, and retail and science park spaces. Its broad client roster includes landowners and investors, occupiers and retail brands. The practice is jointly led by Kylie Cooper, who has key strengths in acting for trading businesses and in portfolio management, and the ‘excellent’ Claire Waring, who is recommended for her ‘vast amount of intellect’; she specialises in residential developments and social housing portfolio securitisations. The ‘very knowledgeable and thorough’ David Slade‘s capabilities include handling investment property sales and purchases, while Emma Adams advises landowners and developers on various residential development issues. Further strengthening the team is Andrew Jones, who is experienced in the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial properties. All named lawyers are based in Leamington Spa.

Practice head(s):

Kylie Cooper; Claire Waring


Other key lawyers:

David Slade; Emma Adams; Andrew Jones


Testimonials

‘David Slade is very knowledgeable and thorough.’

‘Timeliness in communication as well as depth of knowledge meant any work was always covered and explained in a way for us at the client to understand.’

‘The members of the team that I deal with are very responsive, which is critical to our business.’

Key clients

Rosconn Strategic Land Limited


Deeley Group Limited


AC Lloyd Commercial


JBRT Developments Limited


Piper Homes


Coventry City of Culture


Keller plc


Mersey Reactive Power Limited (PeakGen)


Wychavon District Council


Bravissimo


Work highlights


Ansons

An ‘excellent firm’ offering ‘pragmatic advice’, Ansons‘s varied offering encompasses development work and asset management and the firm is active in a number of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. The practice is helmed by managing director Richard Saum, who specialises in commercial property transactions, and also handles land acquisitions and disposals. ‘Go-to legal advisor’ Neil Faunch‘s wide range of expertise includes agricultural tenancies, HS2 and compulsory purchase order (CPO) matters, as well as overage and conditional contracts. Cannock-based director Jon Rowley routinely handles site purchases, option agreements and overages, among other areas, and Alex Jayne-Lowe joined the team as director in May 2023 from George Green LLP. All named lawyers are based in Lichfield unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Richard Saum


Other key lawyers:

Neil Faunch; Jon Rowley; Alex Jayne-Lowe


Testimonials

‘Jon Rowley – explains technical speak in a way that is easy to understand, presents options robustly and with clear explanations. Easy to get ahold of and prompt to respond.’

‘The team is able to quickly respond to any of our commercial support needs. They keep within budget to deliver effective legal advice.’

‘Neil Faunch provides very client focused advice, that is always on budget and timely. He has good interpersonal skills and is very easy to contact when advice is needed.’

‘We have used the services of the team at Ansons for many years and find them an excellent firm offering a full range of disciplines for both individuals and businesses. They offer pragmatic advice without the legal spiel!’

‘Our go-to legal adviser is Neil Faunch – he has never let us down. He ensures his team is up to speed with our cases at all times, so even if we are unable to speak to him personally, our queries are dealt with. Neil is a pleasure to work with, listens, sympathises, understands and advises without hesitation.’

‘The team at Ansons are not only experienced but personable and get to know their clients really well.’

‘Ansons have always been happy to assist whatever the query. They do so in a very down-to-earth manner, which is exactly what we need.’

‘A team ethos where collaboration is key and gets things achieved. The individuals are all friendly and approachable.’

Key clients

Sandyford Properties Limited


IP Developments Limited


Portal Construction NW Limited / Andrews Property


Boningale Homes Limited


Brendan Lees Developments


Work highlights


  • Advising on four phased developments comprising 250+ residential plots with a gross development value of circa £60m for Boningale Homes Limited.
  • Acting for Brendan Lees Developments Limited on the refinancing of established multi-let industrial estate in Cannock, dealing with all lender enquiries and security requirements and maintaining data-room.
  • Acting for Sandyford Properties Limited on the refinancing of two established multi-let industrial estate in North Stafford, dealing with all lender enquiries and security requirements and maintaining data-room.

Band Hatton Button LLP

Band Hatton Button LLP‘s practice covers both residential and commercial property, acting for various developers on obtaining and disposing development sites, alongside experience in leasehold enfranchisement work. Daniel Blood leads the practice, with vast experience in the acquisition of sites and construction matters, mainly in the retail sector. The ‘pragmatic’ Dina Parmar‘s key strengths include handling property finance, corporate support, healthcare property and acquisitions and disposals. Senior associate Cormac Glynn‘s wealth of expertise extends from strategic land development to agricultural property; he is recommended by clients for his ‘attention to detail’. All named lawyers are based in Coventry.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Blood


Other key lawyers:

Dina Parmar; Philip Costigan; Cormac Glynn; Charlotte Barker-Davies


Testimonials

‘I have always received excellent support.’

‘All matters are dealt with efficiently and are easy to understand.’

‘Dina Parmar does what she says she will do, and quickly. She is pragmatic; if I suggest something that would make a transaction easier, she is open to this.’

Key clients

Heart of England Co-Operative Society Limited


Jade Homes Construction Limited


Talk Talk Mobile Phones Limited


Wyckham Blackwell Group Limited


Messrs Swindells


RM & IM Garages Limited


Grace Homes Limited


ASR Premier Properties Ltd


Jubilee Church, Coventry


The Forge (Nuneaton) Limited


Brian Williams


Alan Barratt


PK Silva Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Heart of England Co-Operative Society regarding property matters as well as other legal matters.
  • Assisting Grace Homes Limited with its development work, both pre-development with acquisitions of a site, and post-development, with the financing of sites, statutory agreements, site set up and plot sales.
  • Assisted The Forge (Nuneaton) Limited on a large refinancing transaction relating to a new purpose-built children’s care home, which allowed the two large existing development loans to be repaid and made way for a release of cash to support the operational cashflow of the business.

Lanyon Bowdler

Offering a ‘very good service’, Lanyon Bowdler’s broad practice enables it to cater to a diverse array of clients under the leadership of Telford’s Praveen Chaudhari, who offers expertise in commercial property transactions, with a focus on the industrial, agricultural and retail sectors. Conwy’s Edward Nutting counts companies, business owners, private landowners and more among his client roster, while the Hereford-based Sarah Whittall specialises in commercial and agricultural property. Oswestry’s Tania McGee is considerably experienced in working on the sale and purchase of farmland. Andrew Evans retired from the practice in August 2022.

Practice head(s):

Praveen Chaudhari


Other key lawyers:

Edward Nutting; Sarah Whittall; Tania McGee


Testimonials

‘Once instructed, I trust their team to complete tasks on time and with the minimum of fuss and drama. A key attribute of the team is common sense.’

‘Very good service.’

‘Very good service level. Nice to deal with. Very good professional standards.’

‘Depth of knowledge across all areas of commercial transactions.’

‘The ability to react quickly and provide sound and often robust advice.’

‘The Commercial Property team have always demonstrated great diligence in the matters we have worked together on.’

‘Things are dealt with very professionally.’

‘We have a positive and productive working relationship with Tania McGee in the local office. She has a good understanding of our property and lease requirements.’

Key clients

Evans Enterprises Limited


Cloudside Associates Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Cloudside Associates on the purchase of a warehouse occupied by a company connected to them.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP’s particular area of expertise involves handling strategic land acquisitions and disposals, including due diligence on transactions and long-term joint ventures and the firm routinely operates in the industrial distribution, office, retail, and leisure sectors. Operating across the firm’s Birmingham, Stratford and Solihull offices, regional head Joanna Deffley’s key strength lies in strategic land development, with the capability to advise on large-scale projects, while Solihill’s Neil Gosling notably focuses on delivering housing, regeneration and new town projects. Stratford’s Caroline Irvine advises clients on the granting and acquiring of leases, among various other matters, while Solihull-based Kevin Joynes is well versed in acquisitions and disposals of land for house builders and developers.

Practice head(s):

Alex Smith


Other key lawyers:

Joanna Deffley; Caroline Irvine; Kevin Joynes; Barry Fisher; Fiona Martin; Neil Gosling


Key clients

Barratt Homes


David Wilson South Midlands


Deeside Regeneration Limited


Farmfoods


Gallagher Developments


Hillwood Group


Jessup Group


Kendrick Homes


L&Q Estates


Opus Land


Trebor Developments LLP


Vision Express


Real Estate Investor Plc


Lovell Partnerships Limited


Northern Trust


Spitfire Bespoke Homes


IM Land


IM Property


Burrington Estates


Hampton Oak


Richborough Estates Group Limited


Orbit Group Limited


Orbit Homes (2020) Limited


Persimmon


Hopkins Homes


Vistry Homes Limited


EMH Housing and Regeneration Limited


The Strategic Land Group Limited


Inox Capital Group Limited


Airparks Services Limited (Holiday Extras)


LIV Student Living Limited


Pari Real Estate Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for Spitfire and IM Properties Plc on Spitfire’s award-winning Insider Midlands ‘Deal of the Year’ 2022 acquisition in partnership with Crest Nicholson of a 50-hectare development site at Daventry for 1100 new homes, including two hectares of public open space, a new primary school, bursary and community building, together with food retail and three further retail units.
  • Acting for L&Q Estates on delivery of its scheme at Whitehouse, Milton Keynes. We have advised L&Q on its collaboration agreement with its development partner, Milton Keynes Council and provided ongoing advice during the strategic land promotion of the site, obtaining planning, provision of infrastructure to the site and sale of serviced land parcels to house builders.
  • Advised L&Q on the sale of part of Wixams Village 3 in Bedfordshire which comprises roughly 127 acres and three phases to Barratt Homes. The deal structure incorporates two put and call options relating to phases 2 and 3 and a deferred payment in relation to phase 3 to be secured by a charge.

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited's team covers a range of industry sectors, from the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields, to engineering and manufacturing. Practice head Colin Rodrigues has recently handled investments and other real estate matters for clients in the care, engineering and manufacturing sectors. Alexander Boyle and Natasha Chifamba are also recommended. All named lawyers are based in Dudley.

Practice head(s):

Colin Rodrigues


Other key lawyers:

Alexander Boyle; Natasha Chifamba.


Testimonials

‘They follow the job to the end. I could rely on them to see the job completed in the end.’

‘They were flexible, and they understood what I needed from them.’

‘They believe in building strong relationships with their clients – so that they know their business.’

‘They are available to talk when needed -and respond quickly to emails and correspondence – you can always get hold of someone!’

‘Extremely responsive and always available. Our counter-parties on legal transactions have commended the pace and quality of the firm’s work.’

‘Very good practice, handling my needs and requests.’

‘Reliable and personable.’

‘Colin Rodrigues goes the extra mile to ensure that the work is completed to deadlines, even when the challenges appear unsurmountable.’

Key clients

Siren property Limited


IBC Healthcare Group Limited


Counterplas Investments Limited


Murphy Property Investments Ltd


Sovereign Group Holding Limited


CMT Engineering Limited


Premier Access Solutions Limited


Safe Fence Holding Limited


GB Tyres UK Limited


Simco Properties Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for a care sector client in the refinance of 16 freehold and leasehold properties for the sum of £22m.
  • Acted on behalf of a client on the acquisition of a large warehouse complex (5,260.24 sq m) located north of Birmingham City Centre for a purchase price of £4m.
  • Acted on behalf of a client in the acquisition of a vast commercial site out of which its trading company traded pursuant to a lease with the benefit of an option to buy.

Pickerings Solicitors

Delivering a ‘high-quality service’, the Tamworth-based Pickerings Solicitors handles a comprehensive range of work for property developers, alongside landlord and tenant matters. The practice is jointly led by ‘true professional’ Sue Albini, who possesses vast experience of working on complex property transactions, and Kate Pearce, who specialises in advising on landlord and tenant matters. Associate Pooja Cheema‘s advises on pension company transactions and real estate finance, with associate Sophie Bramwell also offering transactional experience.

Practice head(s):

Sue Albini


Other key lawyers:

Kate Pearce; Pooja Cheema; Sophie Bramwell; Jordan Morrissey


Testimonials

‘Pooja Cheema has at all times been available to answer any queries I have had, and I have complete confidence in her.’

‘The Pickerings Commercial Property Team will always have someone with the appropriate skills and experience to deal with the matter quickly and efficiently. We would have no hesitation in recommending them.’

‘Sue Albini is a terrific lawyer, so incredibly knowledgeable and always there to help. Kate Pearce never disappoints. She is an exceptional lawyer who takes control of difficult transactions, simplifies everything, and just sorts things out. You’re in safe hands with these lawyers.’

Work highlights


Thursfields Solicitors

The ‘forthright’ Thursfields Solicitors team commands a sector-focused approach with a broad range of expertise under the leadership of Worcester-based practice head Tony Gibb, who is particularly active in the agricultural property sector. Solihull’s Robert Pettigrew is considerably experienced in the retail and leisure sectors, while Halesowen-based Stewart Coles deals with a range of transactions involving pension schemes, as well as those in the hotels and care homes sectors. Emma Hughes routinely advises on the sale and acquisition of land and commercial premises, as well as the leasing of commercial premises; she operates in the firm’s Worcester office.

Practice head(s):

Tony Gibb


Other key lawyers:

Robert Pettigrew; Stewart Coles; Emma Hughes; Katherine Hall


Testimonials

‘Thursfields assisted us with our persistence to complete a deal that could easily have fallen through.’

‘Tony Gibb pushed the seller appropriately when required.’

‘The team is very forthright and key to pushing the deal through when there are hiccups or delays.’

Key clients

Halford


Dunn


De Montfort Fine Art Ltd


RCS Manufacturing Ltd


Volume.Property Group


JDD Furniture Limited


HBI Investment Ltd


Magnapower Equipment Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised De Montfort Fine Art Limited on a number of conditional pre-lets and leases for new galleries across the country including Greenwich, Muswell Hill, Sevenoaks and Cambridge with follow up on the opening of new galleries at the iconic Battersea Power Station and the county’s number one shopping centre, Westfield, London.
  • Acquisition of a farm, incorporating a fisheries business, pastor land and six commercial units for £2.5m.
  • Advised HBI Investment Ltd on the acquisition of a 50,000sq ft site in North Yorkshire for £2.6m.