Banking & Finance: Midlands

The banking and finance team in DLA Piper's Birmingham office maintains its position as one of the leading practices in the region. The group advises a diverse client base on sophisticated regional, national and cross-border transactions, and its substantial expertise spans leveraged finance, real estate finance and asset-backed lending. It recently advised a syndicate comprising Barclays, RBS, Santander and HSBC, in relation to highly structured capital expenditure facilities extended to the Abnormal Load Engineering group. 

Client Service "They retain a very strong sense of client care. Their response times are good, and the banking team can be relied upon to make itself available when needed."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "commercial and experienced" Stephen Bottley leads the Birmingham-based banking group and headed the team in its work for Abnormal Load Engineering. He has particular expertise in the area of syndicated and bilateral leveraged finance deals, and he is a trusted adviser of leading banks on local, national and international matters. Clients appreciate that he has "taken the time to understand the approach that we have." Brian Woolcock concentrates on project and real estate finance. He recently led a team advising Barclays, RBS and Santander on the provision of debt facilities relating to the acquisition of Extra MSA service stations, including a development facility to fund the construction of Europe's largest service station. Clients say: "You get the benefit of his experience - he always listens and gives an excellent view."

Eversheds maintains a strong regional footprint in its Nottingham and Birmingham offices, which also draw upon the firm's global presence. Consequently the banking and finance team is able to advise an enviable client base on a range of complex national and cross-border transactions, including syndicated refinancing, revolving credit facilities, acquisition finance and development finance. It recently advised a syndicate of banks in connection with the £300 million syndicated refinancing of Halfords Group.

Commercial Awareness "These transactions are very demanding and require teams with the necessary acumen and depth, which Eversheds clearly has. They are eminently qualified to do this work on our behalf."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "vastly experienced" Stephen Kitts is "commercial and remains calm under pressure." He advised Yorkshire Bank on the acquisition financing of HIG Capital's £60 million MBO of Synseal Extrusions. Alistair Hardie is an established name in the region and frequently represents banks on leveraged finance, corporate finance, restructurings and real estate finance deals. He recently advised Birmingham International Airport in relation to a £45 million revolving credit facility to fund infrastructure works. Patrick Davis was also involved in this deal, in a highly successful year which saw him elevated to partner status at the firm. He is commended for his "very hard-working and focused approach."

Pinsent Masons' banking and finance team has been described as "a good senior team with a good range of experienced associates." The firm receives high-calibre instructions from its clients and is particularly well respected for its real estate finance offering. It boasts long-standing relationships with many leading financial institutions, counting Barclays Bank and Clydesdale Bank among its lender clients. Recent work highlights include advising Santander and RBS in relation to the provision of £45 million of facilities to Birmingham International Airport, in a deal with significant infrastructure and real estate finance elements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alice Broadfield is "experienced, practical and hands-on," according to sources. She is noted for her particular expertise in the education sector, as demonstrated by her recent work for Barclays on its provision of £40 million of corporate facilities to the University of Leicester. She also acted alongside Matthew Heaton on the Birmingham International Airport deal. Heaton is praised for his proactive approach to matters, which is also evident in his work for borrowers, most recently for Abnormal Load Engineering on a EUR55 million syndicated, committed asset finance facility. 

With offices in Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, Freeth Cartwright is well placed to serve clients across the Midlands. The team has maintained a steady workflow on property and acquisition finance, and it recently bolstered its impressive client portfolio with its appointment to HSBC's banking panel. Other clients include Lloyds TSB and Leumi ABL.

Client Service "They highlight the issues and help us to find solutions. With every problem that crops up, they have a practical way forward."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Heaphy is frequently at the forefront of the firm's most complex and sophisticated work. He specialises in corporate finance. Philip Baigent is widely recognised for his expertise in the healthcare sector, and he was key to the firm's representation of Santander Healthcare on a number of recent transactions. He is praised for his practical approach to matters.

The banking team at Gateley comprises six partners spread across its Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester offices. The firm has a particularly strong reputation for acquisition finance, real estate finance and asset finance transactions, and it includes RBS, Santander and Lloyds TSB among its major clients. The team recently advised HSBC in relation to the funding of Gresham Private Equity's acquisition of Team Telecom Group.

Commercial Awareness "Andrew Madden is proactive, very commercial and most importantly anticipates my key issues and proactively addresses these with commercially viable solutions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Madden heads the firm's national banking and finance practice, and concentrates on acquisition finance and corporate banking. Clients appreciate his ability to handle work under pressure: "In a stressful deal environment, he provides a calming influence and ensures that situations are looked at with objective clarity." Philip Alton offers his clients particular expertise in asset finance and cross-border restructurings. Since publication Keith Gilbert has joined the firm from Howes Percival LLP. He advises major banks on both secured and unsecured corporate lending. His banking expertise is bolstered by substantial experience in corporate transactions.

This Birmingham-based team is known for its work on leveraged corporate finance, asset finance and real estate finance transactions, while it also has a growing presence on healthcare-related work. Recently the firm has advised Handelsbanken in connection with the provision of multicurrency facilities to IM Properties. Other clients include the Islamic Bank of Britain and The Co-operative Bank. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ian Baker heads the banking and finance team in Birmingham and is considered to be a "prodigious worker who will go to extreme lengths to deliver top-quality, commercial and constructive advice." He was involved in the firm's recent work for Handelsbanken. Naomi Tudor has substantial experience in the areas of acquisition finance, asset finance and non-profit finance. She acted for Santander in its provision of facilities to Moulton College for the purposes of a campus redevelopment. Clients say that "no challenge would ever appear too big, nor any timescales too tight" for her. The "efficient and client-focused" David Doogan advises banks and borrowers on leveraged transactions, property finance transactions and restructurings.

With a firmly established presence in both Birmingham and London, Wragge & Co is well placed to handle some of the more complex and sophisticated instructions in the market. Its banking and finance team handles asset-backed finance, project finance and restructuring, attracting a broad client base of lenders and borrowers. Recently the firm advised Dyson in obtaining a £270 million syndicated revolving credit facility with a number of leading global banks. The firm's major bank clients include Barclays, RBS and Deutsche Bank.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Brierley heads the banking group. He led the team acting for Dyson, and he recently advised Barclays Bank in relation to the provision of £9.3 million funds to Bromsgrove Healthcare Innovations. His colleague Paula Laird is noted for her expertise in asset-backed lending and asset finance.

The banking and finance team at Browne Jacobson works closely with the corporate department to offer a full service to clients. With offices in Birmingham and Nottingham, the firm boasts a strong presence in the region and has been appointed to several key bank panels over the years. The group advises on a range of transactions, including property finance, healthcare finance and asset-based lending. It recently represented Belfield Furnishings in its refinancing with Yorkshire Bank, while on the lender side it has acted on a number of refinancings for major bank clients such as Santander and Lloyds TSB.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Ray spearheads the banking and finance team. His extensive client list includes corporate borrowers and major banks, which he advises on a full range of transactions. He led the team advising Media Square in relation to an £18 million refinancing with Bank of Scotland. 

This team now has an even greater capacity to handle international banking and finance instructions, drawing upon a global network of offices, which has expanded following the merger between Hammonds and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. Sources compliment the team on its cultivation of "responsive, robust and personable relationships." It maintains impressive expertise in general banking transactions and in the field of asset-based lending, where it recently advised Chesapeake in relation to the refinancing of its group of companies. On the lender side, it acts for leading banks including Lloyds TSB, Barclays and Santander. 

Client Service "Value for money is excellent, especially given the depth of expertise on offer - for me the level of responsiveness is critical, and it is very impressive. They are always on hand and willing to assist, even at the initial transaction formulation stage, where a good deal of creativity may be required."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Adams advises clients on a range of financial matters including acquisition finance and property development finance. Sources say he "provides concise commercial advice which matches the bank's commercial risk with the clients' best interests." He regularly leads cross-departmental teams advising borrowers and lenders on complex international transactions. Jon Bew is also noted for multi-jurisdictional expertise, particularly in the field of asset-based lending. Sources highlight his "in-depth technical knowledge and strong commercial sense."

This firm's "partner-led" banking and finance operation has experience across a broad spectrum of transactions including acquisition finance, property finance and restructurings. It recently advised Barclays on its £9.2 million refinancing of Jeesal Residential Care Services. Other key clients include Bank of Ireland and Santander.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ian Ilersic wins praise for his hands-on approach to client relationships. He leads the banking group in Birmingham, spearheading many of the firm's most complex transactions for banks, asset-based lenders and borrowers.

With offices in Nottingham and Derby, this firm is a driving force in the region, and its substantial experience in general banking transactions is combined with strong expertise in the healthcare and motor retail sectors. Recently the team has handled a high volume of refinancings, including its recent work for Santander in connection with the provision of a £4.7 million refinance loan to Mapara Investments. On the borrower side it has advised Drive Motor Retail on a refinancing with HSBC. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Hugh Strickland heads the banking and finance team and leads the firm's relationship with key clients Lloyds TSB and Santander. He recently advised HBOS on the provision of a £10 million facility to AIM-listed Northbridge Industrial Services in relation to its acquisition of an Australian company. David Watson focuses upon property finance and is praised by sources for his skills as a co-ordinator: "He kept everyone up to date and aware of their responsibilities to ensure the completion deadlines were achieved."

The banking and finance team at Shoosmiths operates from offices in Nottingham and Birmingham, advising banks and investors on acquisition finance, corporate banking and the refinancing of existing facilities. It also has niche expertise in social housing finance, counting Derwent Housing Association amongst its clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Helen Wilson heads the impressive team in the Midlands. She has advised key bank clients such as HSBC and Santander, as well as borrowers such as Derwent Housing Association, which recently instructed her in relation to a £10 million facility. Shaun McCabe recently joined the firm. As well as advising on acquisition financings and restructurings, he is skilled in the fields of asset-backed lending, care home funding and property finance.