The 'responsive' team at Shoosmiths LLP provides 'high-quality' advice to a creditor-focused client base across a range of ABL solutions to borrowers in the domestic market. Under the leadership of the 'outstanding' Jon Bew, the Birmingham-based transactional team has established particularly strong traction in relation to bilateral mid-market mandates, where clients benefit from its deep familiarity with documentation, enabling it to provide a 'very efficient and cost-effective' service on multiple ongoing mandates. Bew is aided by Natalie Barnes, 'who works well with the counterparty advisers' to ensure that deals progress in a timely and pragmatic fashion. On the non-contentious front, lender clients benefit from the expertise of London-based Andrew Bowden-Brown, who is able to assist on security and enforcement issues, including as these relate to fraud, asset tracing and debt recovery.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The responsive team works through complex issues efficiently and produces high-quality work in a timely manner.'
- 'They fully understand our concerns at the outset but also provide solutions and suggestions when unexpected situations arise.'
- 'The outstanding John Bew is very pragmatic and commercial.'
- 'Natalie Barnes leads by example on each transaction, delivering high-quality work efficiently whatever the scenario or transaction. She works well with the counterparty advisers and effectively manages her team and the transaction timeline.'
- 'Alistair Hayes is brilliant.'
Key clients
- Shawbrook Bank Limited
- Aurelius Finance Company Limited
- IGF Business Credit Limited
- HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited
- Close Invoice Finance Limited
- Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited
- ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance N.V., UK Branch
- Investec Bank Plc
- Hilco Capital
- Praetura Commercial Finance Limited
- Novuna
Work highlights
Advised Shawbrook Bank on an ABL agreement relating to £24.5m senior facilities to be provided to one of the UK’s leading electrical wholesalers.
Advised Aurelius Finance Company on the provision of ABL facilities to a highly regulated Irish borrower group.
Advised IGF Business Credit Ltd in relation to an asset-based facilities agreement, which included an inventory facility to international home and lifestyle company Designers Guild.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Natalie Barnes
Practice head
Jon Bew
Other key lawyers
Natalie Barnes; Alistair Hayes; Kieran Cummins; Andrew Bowden-Brown; Mike Lockton