Real Estate: Northern Home Counties

THE FIRM Despite the economic downturn, the Milton Keynes office of this international firm has enjoyed a buoyant year, handling numerous major projects for Sainsbury’s, Barclays and Virgin Active. Its abundant expertise in the retail sector attracted new client Westfield Shoppingtowns, which the team advised on the Stratford Shopping Centre development. The firm’s 2009 takeover of the Milton Keynes office of Howes Percival has added further strength in depth to the department.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Denny leads the firm’s retail occupiers group and has particular expertise in the letting and management of shopping centres. The team is renowned for its long-standing and successful relationship with the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly English Partnerships), which it advises on acquisitions and development matters. It has also put its substantial experience of public sector projects to excellent use acting for the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Milton Keynes Council. Roland Gray is increasingly involved in public sector projects, particularly on the development side, but also specialises in landlord and tenant issues in the retail and leisure industries.

THE FIRM This team’s excellent reputation as a commercially focused group that is easy to deal with wins it starring roles in major local projects and a great deal of national work. It is acting for Inter MK on the acquisition, development and letting of the MK Dons football stadium in Milton Keynes, and was recently appointed to the advisory panels of Alliance & Leicester and Travis Perkins. During the past twelve months, the former EMW has demonstrated its ability to withstand the turbulent market by gaining numerous new clients and undergoing a merger with Picton Howell; this has given it a property presence in London and additional expertise in property litigation, and Picton Howell’s vast international experience has bolstered the group’s understanding of cross-border real estate deals. Recent client wins include Cambridgeshire County Council, Fortis and Bradford & Bingley.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Kay advises on a wide range of matters and earns praise from clients for his personable approach.

THE FIRM Although the economic climate has resulted in a slowdown in large projects for this firm, Kimbells’ real estate team continues to get its fair share of notable work. It advised Milton Keynes Parks Trust on the management of its commercial estate. The team's work for Corus Hotels, Scottish & Newcastle and Novus has enabled it to maintain a busy hospitality and leisure practice. The firm has also increased its work for airports: London Luton Airport is a long-standing client, and the group now also advises Cardiff, Bristol and Belfast airports on their concession agreements with retailers. Clients value the team’s attention to detail and helpful approach.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Head of department Valerie Warman recently acted for Milton Keynes Parks Trust on its disposal of Stantonbury Local Centre to Sainsbury’s.

THE FIRM Shoosmiths’ real estate group is making considerable headway in the Milton Keynes market. Its traditional mainstays of development and property finance have suffered slightly due to market conditions, but its wide-ranging practice and work for utilities, educational institutions and retailers has insulated the group from the worst effects of the downturn. It is currently advising Volkswagen on major acquisitions in Tamworth and Bristol, and acting for the University of Northampton and British Waterways. The team also continues to handle development work, such as representing Bellway Homes on the issues affecting a £150 million development site in Bedfordshire.

Sources Say: “The team is proactive, approachable and efficient – they always come up with pragmatic solutions.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Temple heads the department.

THE FIRM Property is the flagship department of this Milton Keynes firm, and the importance the firm places on its real estate practice undoubtedly appeals to clients. During the past year and despite a difficult market, the team was appointed to the panel of the Milton Keynes Parks Trust, and to the HSBC panel for the Central and East region; the team also acts nationally for Abbeygate Developments, Gleeson Group and Clydesdale Bank, the latter of which it is currently advising on the financing of the Milton Keynes stadium.

Sources Say: “The team provides excellent service which removes the need to go to a London firm, and is great value for money.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Melissa Page is singled out for her “succinct and practical advice that is always pitched at the right level.” 

THE FIRM Based in Watford and Milton Keynes, this firm has a strong reputation across the Northern Home Counties region. Although development work has decreased due to economic trends, the team remains involved on several prestigious projects, such as the first-phase redevelopment of Watford FC’s stadium. It has also been able to use its real estate expertise to boost its work in the social housing sector. The group’s ample expertise in property finance has enabled it to become heavily involved in insolvency-related real estate work, and it is currently advising PwC and DTZ on the sales of property for administrators and receivers. Portfolio management is another historical strength of the team, which is presently advising Hilton Hotels on managing its substantial UK property portfolio. It also advises public and state schools and national retailers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department David Marsden is highly skilled at property development and acts for an impressive collection of local and national names. 

THE FIRM This team handles finance, development and investment transactions; during the past twelve months it has also made a concerted effort to expand its retail work. The group earns particular kudos from peers for its relationship with Barclays; other major clients include Capita Group and Jarvis.

Sources Say: “The team is a safe pair of hands that provides speedy yet reliable and thorough advice.” 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Kelly is “exceptionally knowledgeable and thorough,” and is currently advising Barnardo’s on leasing children’s centres. “Down-to-earth and efficient,” Angela Thomas is presently advising The Entertainer on retail portfolio matters.

THE FIRM With offices in Harrow and Hatfield, this practice covers property investment, development, leasing and mortgage work, and acts for a wide range of public and private companies, banks, landlords, tenants and developers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Batty heads the property development team and specialises in advising developers on the acquisition and sale of inner city and greenfield development sites throughout southern England. He also has extensive knowledge of consortium issues.

THE FIRM This Luton-based team specialises in representing small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs. It handles sales, acquisitions, development, property finance and leasing matters, and also acts for several developers and banks. The firm has additional offices in Milton Keynes and Hemel Hempstead.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gerard Sampson heads the group.

THE FIRM SA Law impresses clients with its considerable expertise, while competitive rates have attracted work from the City and West End of London, and ensure that it is regularly instructed on major projects around the country. Asset management, property finance and development are notable strengths of the team; its flair for the latter was demonstrated by advising Palm Paper on its £330 million development of a paper mill near Kings Lynn. The group acts for a wide variety of SMEs and blue-chip clients, including ITV, CBS Outdoor and Clydesdale Bank.

Sources Say: "The team combines a great grasp of the legal issues affecting a deal with business sense and a dose of reality.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Terence Ritchie heads the department.