Addleshaw Goddard’s finance team is preeminent within the region, acting as the core panel firm for all UK clearing banks. The group has a particularly strong real estate finance focus, with Nick Barlow considered to be the ‘go-to banking partner’ for funding in the social housing sector as well as sustainable and green financing. Practice head Andrew Fordham has experience advising a range of lenders and borrowers while managing associate James Washington’s practice focuses on leveraged finance. Clients praise the pair for providing ‘an excellent level of service’.
Banking and finance in Yorkshire And The Humber
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Andrew Fordham
Other key lawyers:
James Washington; Nick Barlow; Geoff McGinley; Tom McHugh
Testimonials
‘Ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters: they routinely deliver for us on complex and sophisticated matters.’
‘I have consistently said for a long time that the depth and breadth of Addleshaw Goddard’s banking team is what sets them apart from their peers outside London.’
‘Nick Barlow has been the go to banking partner for us in relation to the social housing sector.’
‘Responsive and provides high quality advice and legal work even when working under pressure to meet tight deadlines on business critical matters.’
‘Andrew Fordham and James Washington both provide an excellent level of service, with pragmatic and timely advice, going above and beyond when needed to meet tight deadlines.’
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Aviva Investors
Santander UK PLC
William Jackson Food Group
Daniel Thwaites PLC
Harvey Nash Group
Kelling Group
My Pension Expert
Ribston Industrial Fund
Sheffield Forgemasters
Work highlights
- Advising HSBC and a direct lending fund managed by them in the provision of senior financing facilities to support Dunedin-backed Incremental Group, a digital technology services provider, in its buyout of Adatis.
- Advised each of Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Clydesdale Bank plc (trading as Yorkshire Bank) and Nationwide Building Society in connection with a restatement of existing facilities and a refinancing facility to Housing Plus Group Finance Limited of £326m in aggregate.
- Advising Sheffield Forgemasters in relation to its nationalisation by the Ministry of Defence.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP act for a number of listed PLCs and large private companies in the Yorkshire and North East market. The team also sits on the corporate panel of all clearing banks and handles leveraged finance, investment grade lending and real estate financings. Practice head Paul Castle is an expert in education finance, advising a number of UK universities and further education colleges. Principal associate David Parry is recommended for his experience in acting for borrowers and lending banks. Former practice head Kathryn Walters departed in August 2021 to join Ward Hadaway LLP.
Practice head(s):
Paul Castle
Other key lawyers:
David Parry; Amy Franks
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Harworth Group plc
Cranswick plc
DFS Furniture plc
G2M Capital
Santander UK plc
UK Land Estates
Virgin Money (previously Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank)
Accsys Technologies plc
Work highlights
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's Leeds team is well known for handling high profile corporate, real estate and acquisition banking transactions. The group has strengths in asset based and structured finance and continues to develop its sustainability linked loans expertise. It is on the panel for all UK clearing banks in addition to acting for non-bank lenders and local borrower clients. Matthew Clayton-Stead replaces Philip Scott as practice head, who left the firm in September 2021 to join Walker Morris LLP. Elsewhere, real estate finance is spearheaded by Sean Houlihan.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Clayton Stead
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Woods; Sean Houlihan
Key clients
ALK Capital
Lloyds Bank Plc
Turner & Townsend
HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited
National Westminster Bank Plc
OakNorth Bank plc
Santander UK Plc
Riverdale Healthcare
LSL Property Services plc
Wesleyan Assurance Society
Work highlights
- Advised Turner & Townsend on the financing elements of the £960m sale of a 60% stake of its business to CBRE Group, Inc.
- Acted for Riverdale Healthcare, a business backed by Apposite Capital, on the acquisition of seven dental practices in Tyne & Wear.
- Advised LSL Property Services – one of the largest providers of services to mortgage intermediaries and mortgage and protection advice to estate agency customers – on their £120m refinance with a new syndicate of banks.
Walker Morris LLP
Walker Morris LLP’s ‘first class’ banking practice is well known for advising on wholesale funding lines, consumer finance and SME finance businesses. Led by Michael Taylor
, the group is regularly instructed on significant deals in the region and advises banks and borrowers on all aspects of corporate banking and debt finance. Experienced partner Philip Scott joined the team in 2021 while Peter Considine has moved to a consultancy role.
Practice head(s):
Michael Taylor
Other key lawyers:
Philip Scott
Testimonials
‘Walker Morris’ banking practice is first class. They have strength in depth and experienced leaders in respect of Philip Scott and Michael Taylor.’
‘Approachable, sensible advice delivered to a budget. Can manage workloads to a tight timescale.’
‘Whilst being regionally based they have a national and international perspective and connectivity.’
‘Client orientated and willing to go the extra mile to support what is needed.’
‘Partner led engagement i.e. a partner leads through all aspect of the entire process whereas with other firms sometimes appoint junior members to that role.’
‘Whilst the firm is largely Leeds based it possesses the scope of disciplines that would compare favourably with that of a national practice.’
‘Consistently high quality. Great capability and strength in depth.’
‘Michael Taylor has deep banking and ABL experience, very knowledgeable and very much protects the client interest but at the same time provide practical and commercial guidance.’
Key clients
Santander UK plc
Clydesdale Bank plc (Yorkshire Bank)
Secure Trust Bank plc
Endless LLP
Shawbrook Bank
Welltower, Inc
Menzies Distribution Limited
MJ Hudson plc
Gear4Music plc
Elliott Advisers (UK) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Welltower, Inc. as lender on its security requirements for £575,000,000 facilities made available to the HC-One group. The transaction is noteworthy because of the debt size and also that it involved multiple jurisdictions.
- Advising the bank in relation to the provision of bilateral revolving credit facilities to the listed national housebuilder, Bellway Homes.
- Advising the Borrower in connection with its £27,500,000 (including accordion, now utilised) secured bilateral revolving credit facilities with Santander UK plc
DLA Piper
DLA Piper’s banking and finance department houses a dedicated real estate and project finance team that is spearheaded by ‘star performer’ Kirstie Allerton. The group leverages its international network to effectively handle cross-border mandates; co-head Sarah Day has extensive experience in highly structured and cross-border transactions, acting for both UK and US banks. Areas of expertise include debt finance and asset-based lending. Legal director Laura Gordon and senior associate Robert Cockburn are noted for their expertise in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects.
Practice head(s):
Kirstie Allerton; Sarah Day
Other key lawyers:
Robert Cockburn; Laura Gordon; Carol Conway; Alex Smyllie
Testimonials
‘The team is approachable and easy to deal with at the same time as knowing their stuff.’
‘Kirstie Allerton is a star performer.’
‘Carol Conway and Alex Smyllie are very strong team members. They get to the point quickly and have their eye on getting the deal done.’
Key clients
Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
National Australia Bank
Aviva Commercial Finance Limited
Henry Boot PLC
NatWest Bank plc
Town Centre Securities plc
Kommunalkredit Austria AG
Work highlights
- Acted for Aviva Investors on a £48m sustainable green debt facility to various subsidiaries of Urban Logistics REIT.
- Advised Iduna Infrastructure Limited on its c. £4m debt raising via Abundance Investment’s crowd funding platform.
- Acted for Emerald Publishing on a £37.5m refinancing with Barclays Bank plc and HSBC UK Bank plc.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell
advises both lenders and borrowers on the full spectrum of banking and finance matters, including real estate investment and development, mezzanine finance and private equity funding. The group has seen an increase in instructions on CBILS and CLBILS loan facilities and associated inter-creditor matters. Practice head Paddy Sturman has extensive cross-border expertise and regularly handles syndicated and club financings. Robert Farrell left the team in November 2021 to join offshore law firm, Loeb Smith Attorneys.
Practice head(s):
Paddy Sturman
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Santander UK plc
National Westminster Bank Plc
ICG
Bank J. Safra Sarasin (Gibraltar) Ltd, London Branch
Lloyds Bank plc
Thincats
Deutsche Hypothekenbank
Hunters Property Group
Praxis
Work highlights
- Advised HSBC UK on the provision of £62m of syndicatable investment term loan facilities to a South-East based care home group, involving a complex group re-organisation and inter-creditor agreements.
- Advised Deutsche Hypothekenbank as Arranger, Agent and Original Lender on the refinance of £53.35m term loan facilities made available to a Jersey-based borrower in relation to a shopping centre in South Wales.
- Acted for Lloyds Bank plc in its role as agent and original lender on its provision of a syndicated sterling revolving credit facility to a listed property developer, and also provided limited advice to Santander UK plc in their capacity as an original lender in the syndicate.
Shoosmiths LLP
Experts in real estate finance and ABL transactions, the team at Shoosmiths LLP is now led by Anna Robson, replacing former practice head Tim McNamara who left the firm in December 2021 to join CMS. The group is well-equipped to advise on private equity, venture capital and debt financing, and under Anna’s leadership, continues to strengthen its leveraged finance offering. For expertise in real estate finance, principal associate Parin Galaiya is recommended.
Practice head(s):
Anna Robson
Other key lawyers:
Parin Galaiya; Kat Acott
Testimonials
‘This is a new banking team in the region and it has been put together well with Anna Robson leading and a series of strong hires underneath her’
‘Anna Robson is very engaging and provides straightforward helpful advice. Kat Acott is a young lawyer who is extremely capable. Kat and Anna make a great team.’
Key clients
Shawbrook Bank Limited
Lloyds Bank plc
Luminary ROLI Limited
Santander UK plc
Equitix Harvest Bidco Limited
Gresham House (Nominees) Limited
Octopus Investments
Octopus Ventures
LDC
Work highlights
Squire Patton Boggs
The team at Squire Patton Boggs has extensive expertise in acquisition finance, real estate investment and treasury and derivatives; Jeremy Ladyman concentrates on the latter. It is also adept at handling complex asset-based lending structures, with practice co-head Tom Telford building a strong specialism in this area. Nicholas Bell jointly leads the team and has a broad practice that includes significant PFI capabilities for schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
Practice head(s):
Tom Telford; Nicholas Bell
Other key lawyers:
Jeremy Ladyman
Testimonials
‘The team are extremely commercial and focus on what matters to clients not clocking billable hours.’
‘Tom Telford. He knows his stuff on the technical points and is a very sensible, practical transaction lawyer when it comes to getting the deal done on time and on budget.’
‘Helpful and responsive. Good at explaining difficult legal concepts.’
Key clients
Breal Zeta
National Westminster Bank plc
Lloyds Bank plc
Clydesdale Bank plc
Portsmouth Estates
Mercia Power Response
Wells Fargo Capital Finance (UK) Limited & BNP Paribas Commercial Finance Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Wells Fargo and BNP on £70m syndicated ABL facility agreement to Mach Recruitment Limited.
- Advised Lloyds Bank plc on £18m senior funding package to Raymond Brown with mezzanine finance.
- Advised Mercia Power Response on £26m project financing to fund the development / acquisition of a portfolio of gas peaking power plants.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP specialises in three principal funding areas: real estate, corporate and public finance. The group acts for a variety of clients, including high street banks, private equity investors and local and national government bodies. Practice head John Connor has a wide-ranging practice that includes advising on the origination and sale of loans, property finance and invoice finance facilities. Mark Casey specialises in debt finance transactions and associate Jake Unsworth provides strong support to the team.
Practice head(s):
John Connor
Other key lawyers:
Mark Casey; Jake Unsworth
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic, commercial and hands on team.’
‘Jake Unsworth, banking associate – heavily involved in leading the deal and prompt in moving the transaction forward.’
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank PLC
Clydesdale Bank plc / Yorkshire Bank / Virgin Money
Lloyds Bank plc
Nimbus
Cairngorm Capital
LDC
NorthEdge Capital
Endless LLP
Grainger PLC
Wykeland Group Limited
Venator PLC
Department for Education
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
PRAC Financial Limited
Europa Capital
British Engines
Kennelpak Limited
National Westminster Bank PLC
Anaergia Inc
AgFe
Work highlights
- Advised Anaergia, a global leader in the production of clean energy, fertilizer, and recycled water from virtually any waste stream, on its €100m junior loan note funding programme with Arjun Infrastructure Partners.
- Acted for NatWest in connection with the provision of a £17.5m revolving credit facility and term loans to Yarm School to assist with the funding of certain development works at the School.
- Advised Cairngorm Capital Partners on its majority investment in Bromborough Paint & Buildings Supplies Limited, supporting a management buy-out by its executive team.
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP handles a broad range of transactional services for both lenders and borrowers, with strengths in cross-jurisdictional matters that is reflected by practice head Nick Scott’s experience working with overseas lenders based in Europe. In addition to shipping finance and agricultural lending, property and real estate finance is another area of strength for the group that is spearheaded by Helen Mellors, who has a focus on clients in the university accommodation and care home sectors. Mark Davies and Andrew Oliver are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Nick Scott
Other key lawyers:
Mark Davies; Andrew Oliver; Helen Mellors; Samuel Peake
Testimonials
‘Andrew Jackson offers a winning formula of a quality, professional service delivered in a timely, cost-efficient manner by a knowledgeable, client-focussed team.’
‘Andrew Jackson has a very collaborative approach. They work well with other professional firms and maintained this throughout the pandemic when others stopped. ‘
‘Their people are enthusiastic and passionate about what they do, I find them very supportive too.’
‘Mark Davies was always available to update or explain matters, in a friendly nonlegal manner.’
‘Samuel Peake (Commercial Property lawyer) has been very diligent, available and worked really hard to get cases completed in good time.’
‘Helen Mellors leads the team helping us make decisive business decisions. Samuel Peak and Mark Davies stand out.’
Work highlights
Clarion
Clarion acts predominantly for non-bank lenders and is developing its borrower-side practice too. The sizeable team specialises in bridging finance and is also frequently instructed on matters involving real estate and development finance; Phillip Dine is an expert in this area. Marie Pugh leads the team that includes asset based lending expert Ben Slack and legal director Andrea Unwin.
Practice head(s):
Marie Pugh
Other key lawyers:
Ben Slack; Philip Dine; Andrea Unwin
Testimonials
‘The team adopt a can do attitude, they are commercial and work with you as a client to get the best solution.’
‘They are passionate about what they do and work to a high standard.’
‘Marie Pugh, Ben Slack and Russell Stephens are all great to work with and go the extra mile to get deals completed on time.’
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Aldermore Bank plc
Thincats (ESF Loans Limited, TC Loans 1 Limited, TC Loans II Limited and TC CBILS Funding Limited)
Reward Finance Group (Reward Capital Limited and Reward Invoice Finance Limited)
Hampshire Trust Bank plc
TFG Capital Limited
Momentum Finance Group Investments Limited
Secure Trust Bank plc
Ultimate Finance Limited
Shawbrook Bank Limited
Skipton Business Finance Limited
Fresh Thinking Capital Limited
ABLrate Assets Limited
4Syte Limited
Reparo Finance Limited
A Shade Greener Finance
National Westminster Bank plc
Work highlights
- Advised Fresh Thinking Capital in relation to a senior secured debt facility of up to £25m from Foresight Group to provide onward financing for SME businesses.
- Advised Arc Inspirations Limited in relation to £14m re-finance and growth secured facilities from HSBC UK Bank plc.
- Advised Carnaby Caravans in relation to an undisclosed funding package for growth from Shawbrook Bank and FDC.
DWF
DWF specialises in transactional banking work and has experience handling cross-border financings, particularly for entities based in North America. It continues to develop its expertise in large scale development finance projects in addition to increasing its profile in the healthcare sector. National head of finance and restructuring, Chris Ramage is a debt finance law expert while Jenny Crew, who heads the Leeds team, focuses on acquisition and structured finance as well as real estate finance.
Practice head(s):
Chris Ramage; Jenny Crew
Work highlights
Schofield Sweeney
Led by Manjit Virdee, Schofield Sweeney continues to develop its expertise in secured real estate finance, asset based lending, development funding and invoice financing. The group acts for clearing banks, challenger banks and private equity fund specialists across the UK. It also has expertise in acting for private lenders in peer-to-peer lending for new start-ups, as well as real estate bridging finance; Karen Crutchley is the name to note.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Karen Crutchley
Key clients
Santander UK PLC
HSBC Bank UK PLC
Shawbrook Bank Limited
United Trust Bank Limited
Recognise Bank
Key Fund Investments
National Westminster Bank PLC
Fresh Thinking Capital Limited
Svenka Handelsbanken
Lloyds Bank PLC
Rotary Development Limited
Avtar Properties
Work highlights
- Reported for United Trust Bank on finance for the development of 22 new homes in sea-front location of Bridlington.
- Acting for Santander UK plc on facilitating loan for business acquisition and working capital.
- Acting for various banks on various side letter extensions relating to term loans and switch from LIBOR.
Gosschalks
Based in Hull, Gosschalks provide ‘exceptional customer service’. The transactional lending team is frequently instructed on asset based lending and bridging finance matters, with Paul Plaxton taking the lead in this area. Stephen Dillon leads the banking enforcement team that has strong relationships with receivers and insolvency practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Paul Plaxton; Stephen Dillon
Other key lawyers:
Chris Adams
Testimonials
‘A very experienced team with a wide range of litigation skills in different areas.’
‘Professional, quick and with exceptional customer service. They have regularly delivered more than could be expected of them.’
‘Paul Plaxton is an exceptional corporate and banking lawyer.’
Key clients
TFG Capital Limited / TFG Security Limited
One Stop Business Finance Limited
Inksmoor Capital Limited
Handelsbanken PLC
Lloyds Bank Plc
Work highlights
- Acted for TFG Capital Limited on various bridging finance transactions.
- Assisted One Stop Business Finance Limited on all loan and security documentation and undertakes due diligence and title reviews on the borrower’s and any properties over which security is being taken, providing reports on title and dealing with any conditions to drawdown.
- Advising Handelsbanken PLC on strategy regarding circa £5.5m liabilities of an ex-Lloyds of London agent.
Wake Smith Solicitors Limited
Duncan Shepherd leads the Wake Smith Solicitors Limited banking team that handles transactional work and corporate refinancing. Neil Salter is noted for his expertise in commercial property and secured lending. The group also advises in the drafting of standard and bespoke facility documentation and security requirements.
Practice head(s):
Duncan Shepherd
Other key lawyers:
Neil Salter; Rebecca Robinson
Key clients
HSBC UK Bank plc
Clydesdale Bank t/a Yorkshire Bank
Handelsbanken
Work highlights
- Advising Crampton & Moore on the £4.1m purchase of a warehouse unit, with HSBC providing the funding.
- Acting on behalf of Handelsbanken plc on the refinancing of office property in Milton Keynes and funding redevelopment of a brownfield site in Barnsley for letting to Starbucks with a facility of £2.7m.