Ashfords LLP

UK law firm Ashfords has appointed partner and immigration specialist Ben Xu, and associate Mairi Lubelska, to its employment team in London, bolstering the firm's UK immigration offering. Ben specialises in business immigration and is individually recognised for his expertise in this area in the Chambers Guide 2026. He advises on matters across a wide range of sectors including technology, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, business service industries and accountancy. Ben also has significant expertise advising private clients on their complex private immigration and nationality matters. Ashfords immigration partner Ben Xu said: "Ashfords’ strength across employment, immigration and private wealth creates the perfect platform for the work my team and I do. The firm’s growth plans and in particular its continued investment in growing its London presence make this an exciting time to join. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to guide clients through the challenges of an ever‑changing immigration environment." Stephen Moore, partner and head of employment, said: "Ben is an excellent addition to our team and is part of continued investment in building a market‑leading UK employment and immigration practice. His experience strengthens our capability in London and support for clients across the UK.” Ben’s arrival builds on Ashfords’ ongoing investment in London. In the past 18 months the firm has strengthened its capabilities in the capital with the hires of healthcare specialist and banking & finance partner Deborah Rowntree, venture capital specialist and corporate partner Sam Brown, and trusts & estates partner Thomas Middlehurst. Ashfords’ employment team supports UK and international businesses, covering the full spectrum of employment law and HR issues, from recruitment to termination, including investigations, sensitive disputes, restrictive covenant enforcement, and tribunal representation. The team's renowned immigration practice supports employers, businesses and private individuals in the UK and internationally, with the complex and changing UK immigration system. For further information, please contact our employment team.   ENDS Information to editors Ashfords is a valued legal partner to a wide range of corporate, public sector and private clients across the UK and internationally, counted on by clients to get the right result - whether that’s delivering commercial objectives, protecting assets, making investments or solving disputes. With four UK offices and an international network, we are able to draw on legal expertise in over 70 countries worldwide. Ashfords LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales. Ashfords LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Address, contact and partner details can be found at www.ashfords.co.uk. For more information Francesca Howie Campaigns & Content Manager, Ashfords LLP 01392 333619 [email protected]

UK law firm Ashfords has appointed partner and immigration specialist Ben Xu, and associate Mairi Lubelska, to its employment team in London, bolstering the firm's UK immigration offering. Ben specialises in business immigration and is individually recognised for his expertise in this area in the Chambers Guide 2026. He advises on matters across a wide range of sectors including technology, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, business service industries and accountancy. Ben also has significant expertise advising private clients on their complex private immigration and nationality matters. Ashfords immigration partner Ben Xu said: "Ashfords’ strength across employment, immigration and private wealth creates the perfect platform for the work my team and I do. The firm’s growth plans and in particular its continued investment in growing its London presence make this an exciting time to join. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to guide clients through the challenges of an ever‑changing immigration environment." Stephen Moore, partner and head of employment, said: "Ben is an excellent addition to our team and is part of continued investment in building a market‑leading UK employment and immigration practice. His experience strengthens our capability in London and support for clients across the UK.” Ben’s arrival builds on Ashfords’ ongoing investment in London. In the past 18 months the firm has strengthened its capabilities in the capital with the hires of healthcare specialist and banking & finance partner Deborah Rowntree, venture capital specialist and corporate partner Sam Brown, and trusts & estates partner Thomas Middlehurst. Ashfords’ employment team supports UK and international businesses, covering the full spectrum of employment law and HR issues, from recruitment to termination, including investigations, sensitive disputes, restrictive covenant enforcement, and tribunal representation. The team's renowned immigration practice supports employers, businesses and private individuals in the UK and internationally, with the complex and changing UK immigration system. For further information, please contact our employment team.   ENDS Information to editors Ashfords is a valued legal partner to a wide range of corporate, public sector and private clients across the UK and internationally, counted on by clients to get the right result - whether that’s delivering commercial objectives, protecting assets, making investments or solving disputes. With four UK offices and an international network, we are able to draw on legal expertise in over 70 countries worldwide. Ashfords LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales. Ashfords LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Address, contact and partner details can be found at www.ashfords.co.uk. For more information Francesca Howie Campaigns & Content Manager, Ashfords LLP 01392 333619 [email protected]

UK law firm Ashfords has appointed partner Thomas Middlehurst to its trusts and estates team in London, strengthening the firm's high-net-worth offering in the capital. Thomas specialises in contentious trusts, probate and property ownership disputes. He acts for a broad range of clients including high-net-worth individuals, executors, trustees and charities. Thomas previously headed the private wealth disputes team at a top ranked law firm before joining Ashfords. He is ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide and named as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 and Doyles Guide for Private Wealth Disputes. Thomas is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), vice chair of National Association of Independent Administrators (NAIA), and a member of Contentious Trusts Association (ConTrA). Thomas said: 'I'm thrilled to join Ashfords' trusts and estates team and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues to position Ashfords as a 'go-to' firm for trusts and estates matters in London.' Kerry Morgan-Gould, partner and head of trusts and estates said: 'It's a pleasure to welcome Thomas to our growing team at Ashfords, and we're excited to see his expertise further enhance our established private client offering in London. Thomas' arrival comes at a pivotal time following the Autumn Budget 2025, and his insight will be invaluable as we guide our clients through the current climate with confidence and clarity.' Ashfords' trusts and estates team supports clients on all aspects of setting up and managing trusts, from helping clients to choose the right type of trust, advising on the associated and often complex tax issues, to registration, trust administration and the resolution of any disputes that may arise. The team is ranked Band 1 for Charities: Legacy Disputes in the Chambers legal directory, demonstrating its extensive expertise in charity legacy management. The team works closely with major UK charities, often working alongside their in-house teams, providing estate administration support and valuable reputational guidance. For further information, please contact our trusts and estates team.

UK law firm Ashfords has appointed Deborah Rowntree as a partner in its London banking and finance team, specialising in real estate finance with a sector focus on healthcare. Deborah's arrival will complement both the firm's current healthcare and real estate finance offering. Our finance offering covers both bilateral and syndicated lending for both UK and cross border transactions. Our sector team advises a wide range of healthcare clients on finance and M&A transactions and on commercial, real estate, employment and regulatory matters. Deborah has extensive experience acting for lenders, real estate investors, operators, and developers on a variety of funding transactions. She regularly advises on acquisition finance, development funding, real estate investment, restructurings, general corporate financings, complex syndicated lending and re-financings. Deborah said: 'I'm excited to be joining Ashfords as part of our growing banking team which has a reputation for providing pragmatic and commercial advice. I'm also looking forward to continuing to focus on the healthcare sector and working alongside my colleagues to provide the full range of legal services required to support the many funding and investment opportunities in this vibrant sector.'  Rebecca Dury, partner and head of banking at Ashfords, said: We’re delighted to welcome Deborah to Ashfords. Deborah's knowledge of real estate finance and her healthcare specialism will strengthen our current offering - I look forward to watching the team grow and continue to achieve successful outcomes for our clients.' Ashfords’ banking and finance team works with a range of lenders and the businesses they finance, helping to negotiate and secure funding across the business lifecycle, to meet lender expectations and deliver what businesses need to succeed. The firm's healthcare and life sciences team guides operators and investors on strategic transactions and through complex regulations, managing workforce challenges, protecting assets, and resolving disputes. The banking team recently advised Lloyds Bank plc on a new £30 million revolving credit facility for a UK housebuilder and Fort Bovisand Developments Limited on their project to restore and develop the historic fort in Plymouth. Our healthcare team has most recently advised an international group on the strategic acquisition of a UK company specialising in disease models and advanced biomarker development. For further information, please contact our banking and finance team. Ashfords is a valued legal partner to a wide range of corporate, public sector and private clients across the UK and internationally, counted on by clients to get the right result - whether that’s delivering commercial objectives, protecting family assets, making investments or solving disputes. With four UK offices and an international network, we are able to draw on legal expertise in over 70 countries worldwide. Ashfords LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales. Ashfords LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Address, contact and partner details can be found at www.ashfords.co.uk. For more information Francesca Howie Campaigns & Content Manager, Ashfords LLP 01392 333619 [email protected]