Providing ‘top-quality legal expertise’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s banking and finance team is regularly involved in large financings, transactions, and investments, representing a range of corporates, banks, alternative lenders, and investors. Andrew Eaton leads the practice, with real estate finance expert Richard Leeming, corporate lending specialist Rachael Ruane, and experienced energy and infrastructure finance lawyer Graham Soar  also being integral members of the team. Katie Allen is prominent in the hotel and built environment sectors, whereas Victoria Allsopp adds further depth to the renewable and infrastructure project finance element of the practice.

Osborne Clarke LLP has substantial experience acting for lenders and borrowers across a range of transactions and acquisition financings throughout the banking and finance space. With a diverse practice, the team has experience encompassing the TMT, energy and utilities, and financial services sectors, and also notable expertise in acting for clients on the private equity front, notably on the financing aspects of leveraged transactions, MBOs, and debt fund mandates. Tom Bussy leads the South West team, working with Caroline Saul, who is noted for her expertise on project finance work, especially in relation to energy and decarbonisation matters. Other key names include real estate finance lawyer Andrew Parsons and project finance expert Bethan Moore.

Representing a multitude of banks, developers, and other lenders, TLT‘s ‘second-to-none’ practice provides regular assistance on an array of transactions, construction and operational financings, and restructuring mandates; the team has also advised on a number of large revolving credit facilities. On the corporate lending side, co-head Jon Stewart has extensive experience in acquisition and real estate finance work, and heads up the purpose-built student accommodation sub-group. Energy project financings also make up a core part of the practice, an area in which co-head and clean energy specialist Gary Roscoe excels. Managing associate Emily Huish and associate Becky Panton add further experience in future energy and project financing matters, with Oliver Swain regularly assisting on banking transactions. Oliver Coad is noted for his blend of real estate and project finance experience.

Representing several banks and alternative groups on the lender side, together with manufacturing, property, hotel and leisure companies as borrowers, the ‘first-rate banking team’ at Ashfords LLP has experience advising on a range of financings, revolving credit facilities, and transactions. Rebecca Dury leads the team from Exeter, undertaking a range of domestic and cross-border mandates. In Bristol, Ed Hobbs continues to grow the venture debt offering, drawing on his experience in acquisition and leveraged finance as well as asset backed finance work. Exeter-based Clare Brewer counts lending, project finance, and energy and infrastructure finance among her areas of expertise, with legal director Anna Thompson and associate Jonathan Hyde also being active members of the team.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP regularly acts for national and international banks, hedge funds, and private equity companies on matters that include complex transactions, regulatory compliance work, and investigations by the FCA. Team leader Richard Norton is well versed in loan facilities and security issues as well as aviation loans and Middle East banking mandates. Naomi Nettleton advises on property transactions, with Manoj Vaghela leading on banking disputes. For insolvency and distressed situations, Daniel Moore is experienced across security reviews and refinancings in addition to administrator appointments and international derivative and loan agreement disputes, while Edward Robinson is particularly noted for his knowledge of work involving sub-Saharan Africa.

DAC Beachcroft LLP advises on high-value transactions, senior and mezzanine debt financings, and credit facilities, notably acting for borrower-side clients. The practice also provides specialist advice on real estate finance and receivables finance mandates, together with technology and growth capital work, and leverage and acquisition finance issues. Chris Wall, described as ‘sensible and commercially minded’, leads the Bristol-based banking and debt finance team. With a focus on receivables, real estate, and acquisition financings, Toby Hewitt is highly active, while Michael Pearce covers a range of real estate finance and development transactions, including those involving the public sector. Cara Sykes joined in 2023, bringing further experience acting for lenders, corporates, and government departments.

Foot Anstey represents a blend of banks, private lenders, and companies on a range of transactions including corporate lending work, real estate investments, debt finance issues, and development financings. The team also distinguishes itself through its dedicated Islamic finance team, led by real estate expert Imam Qazi and supported by Zahir Nayani. The wider banking and finance team is led by Katie-Jane Rees, who has a range of experience advising on acquisition, property, and project finance work; based in Bristol, she is also a key contact for Nordic bank clients. Toby Larkham excels in structured real estate finance and corporate lending work, and in November 2023, Emma Earp joined the firm’s Southampton office, providing assistance on security structures and intercreditor agreements.

Freeths LLP handles a range of financings, including real estate and project finance work, as well as in public sector and healthcare finance mandates. National head Chris Freeston is located in Nottingham, while Ben Moylan is the key banking and finance contact in the firm’s Bristol office. Moylan is noted for his experience acting on both the borrower and lender side of matters, with expertise relating to Islamic and Sharia compliant finance transactions.

The team at Michelmores LLP leverages its experience assisting national and international development funds on a number of impact and social investment mandates in emerging markets, in addition to advising banks and corporate lenders on a range of investments, financings, and structuring matters. Spearheading the banking, restructuring and insolvency team out of the firm’s Exeter office is Sacha Pickering, while banking and restructuring expert Karen Williams is a key port of call for social investment work. Sally Rice focuses on secured lending property work including development and bridging finance mandates.

Thrings LLP acts for a number of high-profile borrowers and lenders, including banks and challenger banks, on a range of loan facilities, financings, and transactions. The practice is also noted for its prevalence in telecoms-related transactions across the region. Practice head Mike Tomlin is ‘well connected, experienced, patient and calm under pressure’, and has experience acting on complex transactions and investments for companies as well as for a variety of lenders. He is joined in Bristol by Robert Barnes, who handles real estate finance transactions, and Simon Hore in Swindon, who is noted for his expertise in health and care sector mandates.