Working in close cooperation with the firm’s real estate, construction, and property teams, the banking and finance offering at Muckle LLP spans the full range of banking, finance, and fundraising advice on both the borrowing and the lender side. Counting national banks, start-ups, and publicly listed companies, among its impressive roster of borrower-side clients, the team is described by clients as ‘extremely responsive with a practical approach to solving issues.’ Louise Duffy heads the team, and advises banks, corporate clients, and financial institutions on loan portfolios, fundraising, and sports finance matters. Zoe Ditch is adept at asset finance transactions, while Georgia Sproat advises on general banking and security arrangements. On the real estate finance side, Gail Bennett is the key name to note. Andrew Coddington left the team in August 2023.

Ward Hadaway LLP’s full-service banking and finance team acts for lenders and borrowers on matters relating to corporate and leveraged lending structures, real estate and structured finance, and asset-backed lending. Additionally, the ‘exceptional’ team has recently seen an increase in instructions concerning development and growth capital investments for non-bank lenders. The ‘pragmatic, determined, and thorough’ Imogen Holland oversees the department and takes point on acquisition finance and real estate finance, and also has a strong practice advising private equity and venture capital-backed borrowers on private equity transactions and structuring priorities. Simon Errington attracts praise for his proficiency in property finance transactions.

The ‘very experienced and extremely practical’ banking and finance team at Burnetts has a strong track record advising clients in the real estate, agriculture, and healthcare sectors on investment deals, development finance, loan agreements, and re-financings handling both lender- and borrower-side instructions. Practice head Nicola Nutley leads the firm’s property finance offering and takes point on funding transactions. Also in the core team is Rebecca Joy, who advises lenders on property refinances and purchases as well as debentures, guarantees, and drafting facility agreements. Sarah Willshire left the team in September 2023.

With particular strength acting for borrower-side clients and operators in the healthcare and real estate sectors, Sintons LLP’s banking and finance offering works closely with the firm’s corporate and real estate teams to provide a multidisciplinary offering that spans acquisition finance, corporate refinancings, and funding advice. Practice head Jane Meikle acts for banks, other financial institutions, and corporate borrowers, advising on debt restructuring, refinancing, guarantees, and major funding transactions. David Ferguson is a name to note for real estate finance and heads the firm’s specialist offering in this space; Alok Loomba is another notable individual here. October 2023 saw the team strengthening its lender-side agriculture, property, and real estate finance offering with the arrival of Sarah Willshire, previously at Burnetts.

Paul Hughes leads the banking and finance offering at Mincoffs Solicitors LLP, which leverages the firm’s corporate and real estate capabilities to provide a multidisciplinary offering with particular strength in advising on revolving credit facilities, institutional debt, and private equity raises. Luke Philpott left the team in August 2023.

Fielding a ‘highly skilled and knowledgeable’ team, the Durham-based banking and finance offering at Swinburne Maddison LLP sits within the firm’s corporate, commercial, and commercial property teams. Acting for major national and international banks, the team is led by Victoria Walton, a commercial property specialist with a focus on acquisitions, leases, and general real estate finance work; she is ably assisted by Charlotte Excell, who also advises on secured lending transactions.