Helen Emmerson > Gowling WLG > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Gowling WLG
TWO SNOWHILL
BIRMINGHAM
B4 6WR
England
Helen Emmerson photo

Work Department

Energy; Real Estate; Asset Management; Retail

Position

Partner

Career

Helen Emmerson is a partner specialising in helping her clients develop, fund and invest in energy generation facilities, crossing a range of technologies. Her focus is on the acquisition of the necessary land rights and grid connection requirements, as swiftly and efficiently as possible, whilst always being mindful of the funding and investment perspective which sits alongside these developments, together with the regulatory challenges of the sector.

Helen has worked with many of her clients to develop streamlined precedents and working methodologies, providing a robust platform for taking their business forwards.

In addition, Helen supports some of our key corporate occupier and retail clients, on the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties. Helen’s understanding of the key business drivers for both landlords and tenants, together with her experience in a wide range of asset management work, means she understands how to maximise the value of real estate holdings. Helen also has considerable experience in managing a number of fast paced acquisition and disposal programmes.

Helen is known for identifying issues early and proposes resolutions that strike an equitable balance between the various stakeholders, avoiding unnecessary and costly negotiation. She is known for her sensible approach and client friendly manner.

Clients

Energy

Lightsource Renewable Energy, Partnerships for Renewables, Octopus Investments, Primrose Solar, Infinis and UK Power Networks.

Retail and Corporate Occupier

Nike, B & Q and Midcounties Co-op. Qinetiq and GKN.

Experience

Advising on the property aspects of E.ON’s proposed Isle of Grain development of a 1200MW power station, together with the related gas and heat pipe easements and leases to allow the import of gas and the supply of heat and chill to the Grain LNG facility. This was a major piece of infrastructure development, requiring numerous complex legal arrangements to be put in place to ensure the successful operation of the project.

Working with a major Energy-from-Waste developer on the negotiation of documentation to secure land rights to permit the development of a commercial waste to energy project, including a heat supply network.

Supporting Partnerships for Renewables on the creation and negotiation of standard property documentation for the creation of a large portfolio of onshore wind projects on public sector land, together with the subsequent negotiation of that documentation across a wide range of sites, together with the associated title due diligence.

Advising on and negotiating options and leases for the development of a number of UK onshore renewable energy plants, including the drafting and negotiation of revenue sharing arrangements based on income from energy (and associated benefits).

Helping an offshore windfarm developer with ownership issues for land surrounding the foreshore, together with Crown Estate owned portions of land arising from the proposed connection arrangements for the project.

Advising a major landfill gas operator on leases of compounds and landfill gas collection networks across its extensive portfolio, including revenue sharing arrangements linked to electricity generation and/or injection of gas into the national grid

Acting on the acquisition of flagship retail premises for Nike to secure key presence for the London 2012 Olympics, together with dealing with the related branding and marketing issues presented by the unique challenge of the Olympics.

Advising on numerous leasehold acquisitions, at speed, for a major retai…

Languages

English

Lawyer Rankings

West Midlands > Real estate > Commercial property: Birmingham

Consisting of the ‘highest calibre professionals’, Gowling WLG’s real estate practice has key expertise in the development and logistics, energy, investment and residential development sectors. Practice head Christopher Hunt is considerably experienced in advising corporate occupiers across retail, leisure, office, manufacturing and distribution premises. Richard Bate strengthens the practice with his expertise in residential development, while Richard Beckingsale leads the firm’s regeneration team. Helen Emmerson specialises in the energy and utility sector, handling an array of renewables and alternative energy projects, while Matthew Walker heads the firm’s student accommodation team. John Burns has a wealth of experience in large-scale transactions; and legal director Arminder Dhillon is another name of note, joining the team from Pinsent Masons LLP in September 2022.

London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)

Gowling WLG‘s offering is co-led by a multitude of energy specialists, being ‘results-driven’, corporate-focused Gareth Baker, regulatory experts John Cooper and Birmingham-based Gus Wood, real estate specialist Helen Emmerson, also in Birmingham, Nath Curtis, who has a particular focus on project finance and Jonathan Brufal, who works predominantly on international project development matters from the London and Dubai offices. The team ably handles transactional energy work in these areas, in key M&A and financing matters of high-value, in particular, frequently acting in collaboration with the Dubai team on international work. ‘Leader in the field’ James Stanier is another name to note.

London > Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers

With notable strength in industrial, mixed-use, regeneration and retail development schemes, the full-service real estate team at Gowling WLG excels in the energy sector.  The practice is also entrusted by occupiers, property REITS and regeneration authorities with the buying and selling, management and letting of assets. Chris Hunt oversees the real estate department and is proficient in office headquarter acquisitions and disposals, the real estate aspects of corporate M&A and retail expansion programmes. Head of the corporate occupier group Helen Emmerson caters to life science labs, retail, and supermarket leasing mandates, and Felicity Lindsay is well-versed in direct and indirect office investment transactions, as well as office developments and lettings. Kay Desai advises corporate occupiers in the retail and leisure sectors, while Nick Mumby is a key contact for debt-funds, family run developers and international private equity firms. Kate Cunningham advises private and public sector clients on mixed-use and transport-oriented regeneration projects and Dan Gwilliam is seasoned in advising institutional investors.

London > Real estate > Commercial property: development

With notable strength in industrial, mixed-use, regeneration and retail development schemes, the full-service real estate team at Gowling WLG excels in the energy sector.  The practice is also entrusted by occupiers, property REITS and regeneration authorities with the buying and selling, management and letting of assets. Chris Hunt oversees the real estate department and is proficient in office headquarter acquisitions and disposals, the real estate aspects of corporate M&A and retail expansion programmes. Head of the corporate occupier group Helen Emmerson caters to life science labs, retail, and supermarket leasing mandates, and Felicity Lindsay is well-versed in direct and indirect office investment transactions, as well as office developments and lettings. Kay Desai advises corporate occupiers in the retail and leisure sectors, while Nick Mumby is a key contact for debt-funds, family run developers and international private equity firms. Kate Cunningham advises private and public sector clients on mixed-use and transport-oriented regeneration projects and Dan Gwilliam is seasoned in advising institutional investors.

London > Real estate > Commercial property: investment

With notable strength in industrial, mixed-use, regeneration and retail development schemes, the full-service real estate team at Gowling WLG excels in the energy sector.  The practice is also entrusted by occupiers, property REITS and regeneration authorities with the buying and selling, management and letting of assets. Chris Hunt oversees the real estate department and is proficient in office headquarter acquisitions and disposals, the real estate aspects of corporate M&A and retail expansion programmes. Head of the corporate occupier group Helen Emmerson caters to life science labs, retail, and supermarket leasing mandates, and Felicity Lindsay is well-versed in direct and indirect office investment transactions, as well as office developments and lettings. Kay Desai advises corporate occupiers in the retail and leisure sectors, while Nick Mumby is a key contact for debt-funds, family run developers and international private equity firms. Kate Cunningham advises private and public sector clients on mixed-use and transport-oriented regeneration projects and Dan Gwilliam is seasoned in advising institutional investors.