Vicky Kells > Clarke Willmott LLP > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

The ‘brilliant’ team at Clarke Willmott LLP provides a ‘very efficient’ service to a range of stakeholders on housing management, property and development matters, as well as its core specialism in relation to social housing finance. Drawing upon a ‘great deal of knowledge of lender requirements’, team head Vicky Kells  is effectively able to advise housing associations on the relevant due diligence required for securing loan facilities, as well as in the context of private placements. Drawing upon his expertise of acting for both lenders and borrowers, the ‘very knowledgeable and personable’ Fraser MacRae has an excellent perspective of what is acceptable to both parties when negotiating loan facilities (bilateral and syndicated) and bond issuances. Outside of the financing arena, commercial property partner Clare Gregory handles a considerable volume of transactional property work in the space, including on acquisitions and disposals, as well as development work.

Clarke Willmott LLP is particularly well regarded for its property and development work, where the team advises at all steps of the development journey from site acquisition to sale and subsequent lease extensions of shared ownership units. The team is jointly led by Vicky Kells, who divides her time between Cardiff and Bristol; the Bristol-based trio of Kary Withers, Oliver Smedley and Neil Baker; and the Taunton-based Kate Saunders. Jade Lyus, a planning specialist, and Stephen Harper, who frequently advises on the property aspects of development projects, are also recommended.