Clarke Willmott LLP’s social housing team is adept at advising on a variety of funding types, such as bilateral and syndicated facilities, private placements and aggregated bonds. The practice is co-led by the Cardiff-based Vicky Kells, who is a commercial property lawyer specialising in social housing finance and stock rationalisation, and the Manchester-based Lindsay Felstead. Fraser MacRae has extensive experience in bilateral and syndicated funding, and Bethan Evans advises on all aspects of lending in the sector. Other key members of the team include Charlotte Lord and Harvinder Kandola.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Local team with significant experience and capabilities for both the sector and geographical area (Wales). All people I have dealt with in the organisation are responsive and take responsibility for their clients and their deadlines.’
‘The team is a breath of fresh air! Down to earth, responsive and provides solid legal advice but simplified for non-legal people. We deal with Vicky Kells and Fraser MacCrae and highly recommend them both.’
‘A unique team that always goes above and beyond expectations. Experts in the field, but genuine people who take time to listen and work with you to ensure the desired outcome.’
‘Genuine people who spend time building relationships and understanding the business to ensure that the correct advice is given.’
‘Vicky Kells, Fraser MacRae, Charlotte Lord, Bethan Evans & Harvinder Kandola are all exceptionally knowledgeable in their field of expertise. Great dedication to customer service, reliable and generally great to work with.’
‘A fantastic firm to deal with overall. Skilled sector specialist who provides meaningful advice and practical solutions. Inject pace into transactions. ’
Key clients
- Hafod Housing Association Limited
- RHA Wales Group Limited
- Caredig Limited
- Wales & West Housing Association
- Taff Housing Association
- Bromford Housing Association Limited
- Merlin Housing Society Limited
- Melin Homes
- Triodos Bank UK Limited
- Lloyds Bank plc
- Principality Building Society
- United Welsh Housing Association Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Hafod Housing Association in connection with negotiating the underlying facility agreements and the subsequent charging of a portfolio of properties via a Security Trustee and the subsequent allocation of those properties to three lenders, raising a total of £105,000,000 (one hundred and five million pounds).
Acting for Bromford Housing Group (Bromford Housing Association and Merlin Housing Association) in connection with the charging of a portfolio of around 1200 homes via a Security Trustee in support of its £200m sustainability linked loan with NatWest; and a portfolio of 761 to support its £75m sustainability-linked revolving credit facility with HSBC.
Advising Lloyds Bank in drafting and negotiating a £50,000,000 revolving credit facility made available to Trivallis and acting on the allocation of circa 1500 homes under security trust arrangements and the deallocation of around 6,000 properties.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Charlotte Lord
Practice head
Vicky Kells; Lindsay Felstead
Other key lawyers
Fraser MacRae; Bethan Evans; Charlotte Lord; Harvinder Kandola