Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Banking and finance

With a new office in Southampton and the arrival of Jake Holmes from Blake Morgan LLP  in June 2024, Shakespeare Martineau LLP significantly bolstered its offering in the South East, covering real estate and Islamic finance, corporate banking matters, as well as the full spectrum of structured and leveraged finance transactions.

Banking and finance in South East

Dentons

Offering ‘a consistently high level of service’, Dentons leverages the firm’s wide network to offer clients expert advice on cross-border finance transactions, with a varied portfolio that includes leveraged and Islamic finance as well as the full spectrum of sustainable finance. Advising both borrowers and lenders, the practice is led by Christopher Colclough, who specialises in real estate finance transactions and is a key contact for international lenders. Faye Garvey ’s specialisms include leverage and acquisition finance transactions for major UK banks, while Matthew Exton is also recommended for multijurisdictional transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christopher Colclough


Autres avocats clés:

Robert Wyatt; Faye Garvey; Matthew Exton


Les références

‘We have found that Dentons offers a consistently high level of service. In particular its global reach has been incredibly useful when dealing with cross-border issues as it means these can be dealt with in-house, in turn providing more timely responses and instilling a greater sense of confidence in the matters. ’

‘Primary dealings are with Faye Garvey and Matthew Exton. Both are very personable and are genuinely nice to deal with. They provide timely communication on matters with a good level of availability for both of them. They each provide concise advice with a suitable level of detail and pinpoint key risks and potential routes to mitigate.’

‘Commercially sensitive in their approach.’

Principaux clients

HSBC


NatWest


Home Décor


Bank of Montreal


National Bank of Canada


Cox Powertrain Limited


Group 1 Automotive UK Limited


Cordiant Capital


Howard James Angel


Santander


Roynat Capital Inc.


Christie Group Plc


The Bank of Nova Scotia


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a subsidiary of Group 1 Automotive UK Limited on a significant property refinancing from BMW Financial Services.
  • Advised the lender in respect of amending and restating a credit agreement in respect of credit facilities made available to a contract logistics provider, including a revolving credit facility totalling $450m.
  • Advised the borrower in respect of an amendment and restatement to a credit agreement with a $550m revolving term facility and $100m accordion.

DMH Stallard LLP

DMH Stallard LLP demonstrates proficiency advising financial institutions on a range of matters, including asset-based lending, while also being geared to support corporate borrowers with lending arrangements. The team frequently works seamlessly with experts of the firm's litigation and insolvency, and restructuring group and offers experience in a variety of sectors, including hospitality, food, and real estate. Practice head Sarah Naylor's practice focuses on the SME and mid-market transactions, while Anne Milne is a name to note for property finance transactions. Ralph Crane retired in 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sarah Naylor


Autres avocats clés:

Anne Milne


Les références

‘Friendly, approachable and professional.’

Principaux clients

Shoreham Port Authority


National Westminster Bank plc


Santander UK plc


Caffyns plc


Principle Cleaning Group Limited


Arbuthnot Commercial Based Lending Limited


Paragon Development Finance Ltd


Osborne Clarke LLP

Praised by clients for ‘maintaining very high work standards’, Osborne Clarke LLP remains a port of call for both domestic and multijurisdictional finance transactions. The team under the leadership of Ben Truman offers a wealth of experience in the digital business and healthcare segments, standing out for its capabilities in private equity and acquisition finance transactions. Rebecca Scott‘s recent workload includes advice on debt financing of an acquisition transaction, while Laura Hanley is adept at venture and growth lending as part of her broad portfolio. Former practice head Hugh Jones retired in 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ben Truman


Autres avocats clés:

Rebecca Scott; Laura Hanley


Les références

‘Approachable and very strong focus on relationships with clients and advisors, whilst maintaining very high work standards and ethics. ’

‘Honesty, knowledge and being straightforward without compromising their ethics and values in order to please the client.’

‘Responsive, hungry for business, happy to explain difficult concepts in understandable language.’

‘Very clear thinkers and explain legal concepts in a language that clients of all experience levels can understand.’

‘Knowledgeable group of lawyers across several different lending markets. I would particularly call out their approach to staff development – their junior lawyers, in my experience, are a cut above their competitors both in their technical knowledge and in their ability to handle tricky negotiations.’

‘Laura Hanley is a standout lawyer with the legal expertise and commercial experience to offer the type of considered, practical advice that enables her clients to cut through the noise in negotiations and to concentrate on the key issues at hand. I am consistently impressed with her approach to foreseeing challenges and recommending solutions ahead of time, making it feel like a true partnership in delivering deals for our clients.’

Principaux clients

National Westminster Bank plc


HSBC UK Bank plc


Lloyds Bank plc


Santander UK plc


Focus Group


Alcuin Capital Partners


Lloyds Development Capital


Growth Capital Partners


Tenzing Private Equity LLP


Ambienta SGR SpA


BGF Investments Management


Synova Capital


T C Loans Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised National Westminster Bank Plc on a multi-million US dollar revolving credit facility provided to an AI-powered fieldwork effectiveness platform, to provide growth capital.
  • Advised Waterland Private Equity on debt financing aspects of a triple acquisition to form the Further Group.

Shoosmiths LLP

Acquisition and leveraged finance transactions are at the heart of Shoosmiths LLP‘s practice, with the ‘well-established team’ also operating comfortably across the full spectrum of real estate finance and asset-based lending. Both national head Rebecca Mauleverer and Ali Triptree, who is heading the firm’s South East practice, have a track record in cross-border transactions, with Mauleverer’s portfolio including advice on venture debt and corporate lending, and Triptree being recognised for proven knowledge of private equity transactions. Highlighted by clients for its ‘consistent customer-focused attitude’, the group covers an array of industries, with recent instructions relating to the education, banking, technology, and insurance sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rebecca Mauleverer; Ali Triptree


Autres avocats clés:

Suzanne Love; Anna Richardson


Les références

‘The team represents a sensible and commercial group of advisers who are able to carefully blend the detailed professional expertise expected from a law firm, with pragmatic commercial advice based on years of collective experience.’

‘Responsive, concise and able to relay information in a digestible manner.’

‘A well-established team, extremely responsive and looking at cases with a commercial lens.’

Principaux clients

Investec Bank plc


Shawbrook Bank Limited


British International Investment plc (formerly CDC Group plc)


Cadence Equity Partners Limited


Foundation Investment Partners Limited


Dukes Education Group


Cavendish Education Group


Rotala Group Ltd


Livingbridge Enterprises LLP


Business Growth Fund (BGF)


Five Arrows Principal Investments


Five Arrows Capital Partners


Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)


Compass Community Limited


Central England Co-Operative Limited


Cohort Plc


Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited


Octopus Investments


NVM Private Equity LLP


Rothschilds


Santander Bank UK Plc


Boilerjuice Limited


Aero Services Group


FRP Advisory LLP


Axis Arbor


Tatsu Partners


Texthelp Ltd


Aurias Holdco Limited


Octopus Ventures


YFM Private Equity


Growth Lending / GL 2024 Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised British International Investment plc on a $50m loan facility to BRAC Bank PLC to provide vital funding to support the growth of MSME and women-led businesses qualifying under the 2X criteria in Bangladesh, with 3,500 MSME and women entrepreneurs expected to be reached in total.
  • Advising Five Arrows and Providence Equity Partners backed Texthelp (now rebranded Everway) on its merger with n2y, a trailblazer in special education curriculum resources, which included advising Texthelp in relation to the granting of European security under its multi-million global financing arrangement for the new international group.
  • Advised Foundation Investment Partners Limited backed Edison Education Limited on the full refinance of its existing bilateral facilities with HSBC UK Bank plc. The deal saw the client refinance with HSBC on a syndicated basis to include committed facilities of £26m together with a £10m accordion option.

Stevens & Bolton LLP

Frequently receiving instructions from both borrowers and lenders, Stevens & Bolton LLP‘s focus areas include advice on asset-based lending as well as trade, corporate, and venture debt finance. The group’s sector expertise covers financial services, real estate, healthcare, energy, and technology. Practice head Andrew Dodds is an expert in acquisition and leveraged finance, whereas the ‘highly recommended’ Matthew Padian excels at the intersections of finance and insolvency. David Steinberg retired in October 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Dodds


Autres avocats clés:

Matthew Padian


Les références

‘A very strong team.’

‘Matthew Padian has an excellent combination of great technical skills, an under-stated enthusiasm and dogged determination to get the deal done. Highly recommended.’

‘Didn’t over complicate things, and were straightforward with their advice.’

Principaux clients

Rock Rail


OakNorth Bank plc


Prax Petroleum Ltd


Store Property Investments


Biggin Hill Airport


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Rock Rail on debt and equity arrangements for funding the construction, leasing and operation of trains running on the Mitteldeutsche S-Bahn (MDSB2025+) network, Leipzig.

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP demonstrates proficiency in conventional lending and acquisition finance, frequently acting for institutional and alternative lenders, funds and borrowers such as corporates, developers, and councils, and offering noteworthy niche expertise in agricultural finance. The team is jointly steered by Alex Schaafsma, whose practice encompasses leverage, trade, and Islamic finance, and the expert for real estate finance Devreaux Gravell. Lottie Fletcher is a name to note for green finance and sustainability-linked loans.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alex Schaafsma; Devreaux Gravell


Autres avocats clés:

Susan Mitchell; Lottie Fletcher


Les références

‘The team at Birketts is very approachable, easy to contact and very commercial in its approach. They are very proactive and good at providing easy to understand advice. We definitely feel valued as a client – the approach is very personal.’

Principaux clients

Denbury Homes Limited


Lloyds Bank plc


HSBC Bank Plc


Metro Bank PLC


Comerica Bank


National Westminster Bank plc/Royal Bank of Scotland


One Savings Bank trading as Kent Reliance


Admiral Group plc


Novastone Capital Advisors


DCK Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Denbury Homes Limited on its £55m revolving credit facility from HSBC UK Bank plc for the purpose of refinancing existing indebtedness, and providing further financing for the acquisition and development of future sites to bring projects forward for Denbury to build up to 450 homes a year, by 2029.

Blake Morgan LLP

Blake Morgan LLP's 'incredibly knowledgeable team' is recommended for its depth of expertise in corporate finance, covering the full spectrum of lending arrangements with focus areas such asset based lending, syndicated finance, regulated lending, and receivables finance. Recently, the team demonstrated noteworthy activity in structured finance, securitisation transactions, and asset based lending. Practice head Kath Shimmin, who is lauded for a wealth of experience in finance transactions and capital markets law, handles a busy workload including advice on funds, collective investment schemes, and financial services compliance matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kath Shimmin


Les références

‘The team at Blake Morgan is incredibly knowledgeable and takes a commercial approach to the transactions we have worked on. They are prompt to turn items around and respond to queries.’

‘The individuals who have supported us have all provided the highest levels of service, responding in a timely manner and going above and beyond at times when seeking initial guidance to legal queries, ahead of a transaction proceeding.’

Principaux clients

HSBC UK Bank Plc


Santander UK Plc


National Westminster Bank Plc/NatWest Group Plc


Propel Finance Plc


Trevally Capital Ltd and Trevally Capital Advisers Ltd


Metro Bank Plc


Cripps

Cripps is geared to handle the full spectrum of finance work for both borrowers and lenders, with focus areas such asset-based and real estate finance and a workload that extends to advice on bridge loans and development finance. The team is co-headed by Craig Bowers, who covers both corporate and banking law, key contact for receivables finance Noel Ruddy, and Dawn Shadwell, whose areas of expertise include asset-based lending and invoice finance. Victoria Symons‘ specialisms include sustainable investments.

Responsables de la pratique:

Craig Bowers; Noel Ruddy; Dawn Shadwell


Autres avocats clés:

Victoria Symons


Les références

‘A very strong team with years of experience and we always have a subject matter expert dealing with either debt, equity or commercial contracts.’

‘Very good at building relationships with clients and delivering on time and every time.’

Principaux clients

U.S. Hospitality Publishers Inc.


The FSE Group


CH1 Investment Partners LLP


RoundShield Partners


Close Brothers Limited


Holiday Extras


Peer Holdings


TBH Property Holdings Ltd


The Conduit


Paydens


Black Sheep Coffee


B.P. Marsh


Cadogan Estate


Ocean Infinity


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised FSE Group on multiple lends totalling more than £13m.
  • Advised RoundShield Partners on the review and enforcement of its security and exercise of other contractual rights in relation to an £80m secured loan to a large property development group.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP

Field Seymour Parkes LLP comprehensive offering includes a close collaboration between the banking team and experts from the corporate, real estate, and construction departments. The group’s varied workload encompasses advice on investments, development financings, and M&A deals, with noteworthy strength in combined equity and debt investments. Practice head Alex Illingworth is well regarded for his expertise in motor finance advice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alex Illingworth


Autres avocats clés:

Daniel Barnhouse


Les références

‘Swift in responding, excellent understanding and knowledge, friendly and accommodating.’

‘Highly responsive and able to manage conflicts in an amicable but firm way to obtain positive results for clients.’

‘Dan Barnhouse – very calm under time pressure.’

Principaux clients

Santander UK PLC


HSBC UK Bank PLC


Honda Finance Europe Plc


National Westminster Bank Plc


Secure Trust Bank PLC


BGF


Bewley Homes PLC


Credit Agricole Brie Picardie


On Direct Business Services Limited


OakNorth Bank PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Whistl Consolidated Limited on new syndicated receivables facility for up to £65m.
  • Advised Santander UK Plc on a £15m further investment to a property investor, extending the security portfolio to 16 commercial multi-let properties.
  • Advised BGF Investment on substantial follow-on investment.

Paris Smith LLP

Debt finance is at the heart of Paris Smith LLP's practice, with the team operating across a range of sectors, including retail, leisure, and property. Particularly noteworthy are the team's capabilities at the intersection of real estate and corporate finance, as well as its vast knowledge of acquisition finance. James McNeil heads the department and covers the full spectrum of asset, acquisition, project, and property finance transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

James McNeil


Autres avocats clés:

Stuart Allen


Principaux clients

Interbay Funding Ltd


Hampshire Trust Bank Plc


OakNorth Bank Plc


Santander UK Plc


Castle Trust Capital Plc


Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited (Utilita Bowl)


Haskins Garden Centres Limited


Hilliers Nurseries Limited


Stelling Properties Limited and Unilife Limited


National Westminster Bank Plc / The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited (Hampshire Cricket Club) on the amendment and restatement of its existing finance lease of the Utilita Bowl and Hotel, which was required as a condition to the acquisition of Hampshire Cricket Club by GMR Global Pte Ltd.
  • Advised Stelling Properties on funding arrangements with Coutts & Co for two of its SPV property vehicles, which included investment facilities made available to the SPVs to facilitate the refinancing of SPV’s studio purpose-built student accommodation block.
  • Advised Interbay Funding Ltd on 16 term loan facilities totalling an aggregate amount of up to £42,5m, which was made available to a wider group of 11 obligors, enabling the borrower group to refinance its existing indebtedness secured against a property portfolio.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s client roster includes clearing and overseas banks, with the team standing out for its strength in regulatory work, including FCA proceedings and cross-border mandates. Well regarded for advice on bilateral and syndicated transactions, John Chater steers the practice and offers strong sector expertise in the hospitality, technology, financial services, and renewable energy segments.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Chater


Les références

‘Excellent, well-led team.’

‘ A very professional team.’

Principaux clients

Mathematical Market Research Limited


HSBC UK Bank plc


The Magic Bean Co. Ltd


AIB Group (UK) Plc


B.I.G Finance Limited


Saudi Arabia Investment and Manufacturing Group


Bank of China


Carver Group Limited


Frontier Development Capital Limited


Santander UK


British Arab Commercial Bank Plc


Aptum Technologies (UK) Limited


Shaneel Enterprises Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised HSBC UK Bank plc on a £15m term loan facility agreement being granted to the UK subsidiary of an international group.
  • Advised AIB Group (UK) plc on this a £32.5m LMA-based development finance facility agreement.
  • Advised Shaneel Enterprises Limited on reviewing and negotiating a €45m term loan facility to finance the acquisition of two overseas target companies to add to its group structure.

Trethowans LLP

Trethowans LLP key services include advice on healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and property finance, with the team being recommended for expertise in acquisition finance, debt restructuring, and asset-based lending. Handling the full spectrum of commercial and property finance, Steve Cole heads the practice and is also recommended for his proven knowledge of Islamic finance.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steve Cole


Les références

‘The team is experienced and has a very good profile in the industry. They also have good diversity and balance, as well as high-quality associates.’

‘It’s the team’s experience that really stands out.’

Principaux clients

HSBC Bank plc


Just Develop It Limited


Handelsbanken plc


MSP Capital Ltd


Doorway Capital Limited


Onyx Development Finance Limited


West 28th Street Limited


The Property Franchise Group plc


Onyx Asset Finance Limited


The Gentian Group


Clarke Willmott LLP

Clarke Willmott LLP‘s practice is well regarded for its experience in the healthcare and real estate segments, with a particular focus on development finance. The team is co-led by Joseph Campbell, an expert in secured lending real estate matters, and Rich Eldridge, who has a notable specialism in mandates related to the mis-selling of interest rate derivatives.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rich Eldridge; Joseph Campbell


Les références

‘Transparency,  management of expectations, timeliness, experience and collaborative working.’

‘Joseph Campbell is my key contact. He manages expectations expertly. Throughout the transaction, he provides transparency and pragmatic ways forward to remove impasses.’

‘The team is always extremely efficient and resolves our requests promptly. They have a clear understanding of our business. Great communication and interaction.’

Principaux clients

The Healthcare Management Trust


Higher Drive Nursing Home (Holdings) Limited


Fairlie Properties Limited


Boys & Girls Nursery Holdings Limited


UKE City Properties Limited


The Stafford Hotel Limited


Yorkshire Building Society


MSP Capital


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised UKE City Properties Limited on changes to the terms of a loan agreement regarding a loan of £14m.
  • Advised Yorkshire Building Society on the financing of a residential portfolio of 6 multi-occupied properties across two simultaneous connected loans.
  • We advised The Healthcare Management Trust on its acquisition of St Quentin Care Homes.

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey offers expert advice on corporate lending, real estate investment, as well as acquisition, development, and growth capital finance. Leading the team alongside Katie-Jane Rees, Emma Earp handles a busy workload, including project finance with a particular focus on the renewable energy segment.

Responsables de la pratique:

Katie-Jane Rees; Emma Earp


Les références

‘They have excellent client support approach and have demonstrated flexibility and adjustability to our needs in part due to some sectoral and market related challenges. Their advice is pragmatic, to the point and allows us to be effective and competitive in our business pursuits. We have never suffered delays in Foot Anstey services delivery and we appreciate their clear and timely communication.’

‘The individuals who support us are approachable, clear in communication and supportive.  Emma Earp stands out. She has given us the information and legal advice we needed to pursue our business in confidence and achieve important goals in our corporate development. ’

Principaux clients

Crondall Energy Ltd


HSBC UK Bank PLC


Premier Veterinary Group Plc


SCIS Holdings Limited


Santander UK Plc


National Westminster Bank PLC


Union Bancaire Privee, UBP SA


CBRE Loan Services Ltd


Alter Domus Trustees (UK) Limited


MSP Capital


August Equity


Community Energy Together Limited


Human Forest Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Crondall Energy Ltd on their management buyout funded by way of a term loan facility provided by ThinCats.
  • Advised the management team at Rocksteady Music School on their investment by Vespa Capital, with debt facilities provided by ThinCats.
  • Advised Human Forest Limited on their £10m project finance facility provided by Fintex Capital as part of its £13 million Series B funding round.

Gateley Legal

Led by Anna Mayfield, Gateley Legal focuses on private equity and acquisition finance, and demonstrates strength in corporate banking and real estate finance matters. Rebecca North‘s broad practice includes capabilities in leveraged transactions and debt capital market matters, as well as a track record in cross-border finance transactions. Patrick Long retired in May 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anna Mayfield


Autres avocats clés:

Rebecca North


Principaux clients

Babble Cloud Holdings Limited


Metro Bank Plc


OakNorth Bank


Brown Brothers Harriman


Network Space


Aldermore Bank


LDC


YFM PE


Santander


Secure Trust Bank


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised LDC on its acquisition of specialist database, cloud, and applications managed service provider DSP.
  • Advised HSBC UK Bank plc on a new facility for Ronit UK Holdings Limited, the holding company of a transport and logistics group.
  • Advised Project H2O Bidco Limited (as borrower) on investment funds managed by Palatine Private Equity LLP and other co-investors, as well as senior facilities provided by Shawbrook Bank Limited for a number of the companies forming the Isle Utilities group.

Thomson Snell & Passmore

Thomson Snell & Passmore handles a busy workload, including advice on secured lending structures, project and acquisition finance, as well as loan note structures and consideration arrangements. Matthew Grogan leads the real estate finance work of the firm, which is a core pillar of the practice, while Joanne Gallagher heads the wider corporate team and advises on secured funding, venture capital, and private equity transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Matthew Grogan; Joanne Gallagher


Les références

‘The firm has the breadth at every level to cater to all needs whilst producing results at a very high standard, which is rare.’

‘Very good. Professional, personable, approachable, and knowledgeable.’

‘Excellent knowledge, speedy communication and responses.’

Principaux clients

Close Brothers Limited


Paragon Development Finance Limited


Quantum Development Finance Limited


Commercial Acceptances Limited


Shawbrook Bank Limited


LendNet Property LLP


LendInvest Security Trustees Limited


Dantis Capital Limited


Tradelend Limited


Yellow Tree Capital (Loans) Limited


Impact Lending Limited


Propfin Limited


Aldermore Bank Limited


Lloyds Bank plc


Handelsbanken plc


Barclays Bank Plc


Royal British Legion Industries Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Quantum Development Finance Limited on a development loan facility of £14,5m with a GDV of £21m for the construction of 103 apartments on an old infirmary site.
  • Advised Close Brothers Limited in respect of a  development loan facility of £5,400,000 to assist a well-known developer to create 33 new luxury apartments on a historic ex-military site in Surrey. The ultimate gross development value of the project was £10,000,000.
  • Advised Paragon Development Finance Limited on a combined bridge facility and investment facility to two connected borrowing vehicles over a distressed, large part-completed development site in Hertfordshire.