Ramatu Banga > Fieldfisher > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Fieldfisher
RIVERBANK HOUSE
2 SWAN LANE
LONDON
EC4R 3TT
England
Ramatu Banga photo

Work Department

Real Estate

Position

Partner

Career

Ramatu has over 25 years’ experience of working with both private and public sector clients on a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, particularly for owners and operators of commercial property.

Ramatu’s private sector experience includes working with teams of lawyers on block acquisitions and disposals, sales and leaseback transactions, the property aspects of business transfers and share purchase agreements, along with leases of city centre wine bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and offices, out of town warehouses and developments, and telecoms sites.

Ramatu has particular experience of acting for owners and operators of trading premises, and for occupier / end user clients generally, including many inward investors and businesses entering the English/Welsh property market for the first time.

Ramatu’s public sector experience includes working with central government, non-departmental public bodies, community interest companies, Local Authorities and other organisations on the property aspects of transfer schemes, risk management, leases, licences, acquisitions, disposals, development, estate management, overage, Crichel Down and the property aspects of facilities management agreements.

Her work over the last few years has included:

  • Advising on the disposal of licensed wine bar premises in St Paul’s, the City and London Bridge, London;
  • Advising on the disposal of leasehold office premises adjacent to Oxford Street;
  • Advising on the taking of a lease of significant office space in London’s “Tech City”;
  • Managing a team of lawyers on leases of over 40 retail premises around the country including Oxford Street and Regent Street, London, and in major shopping centres in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol;
  • Advising on a lease of premises for serviced apartments near Cannon Street, London;
  • Undertaking due diligence on significant premises in the West End of London for a potential hotel development;
  • Undertaking due diligence on the potential acquisition of a chain of restaurants around the Country;
  • Acquiring investment properties for a Local Authority;
  • Advising on and managing a team of lawyers on a nationwide project involving telecoms masts and apparatus; acting on a development agreement and lease of premises for offices and a testing centre on a science park.

Most of the transactions involved tight deadlines and title issues.

Memberships

Ramatu is  a member of Women In Property and the Leisure Property Forum.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers

Praised by clients for its ‘pragmatic and sensible approach’, the practice at Fieldfisher demonstrates expertise in real estate development projects, complex lettings, and real estate finance, primarily in the industrial, retail, and healthcare fields. The group is co-led by Antony Philips and Paul Houston, who is known for his work in the hotel and leisure sector, particularly in relation to the rollout of branded hotel and leisure concepts. Jayne Elkins is a key contact for commercial property work and is experienced in large scale sales and purchases, and indirect property investment. Rhodri Pazzi-Axworthy concentrates on acquisitions and disposals of real estate assets, while Laura Mackenzie handles investment sales and purchases in the logistics and office sectors, and Ramatu Banga advises on real estate portfolio management. Gary Pickard assists telecoms sector clients with transactional real estate matters.

London > Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure

Praised for its ‘commerciality’ and ‘speed of response’, the ‘extremely switched on’ team at Fieldfisher regularly advises on complex leases, financing arrangements, acquisitions, and redevelopments. The team also draws on the expertise of its dedicated franchising team to advise its clients on global expansion. The hotels and leisure team is led by Paul Houston, who advises on acquisition and disposal of investment portfolios, sale and pre-letting of development sites as well as the real estate aspects of corporate transactions. David Wilkinson supports the team as an M&A specialist alongside David Bond, who heads the franchise and licensing group. Bond advises on the negotiation of franchise agreements, hotel management agreements and related commercial and advertising issues. Ramatu Banga and Alex Campbell are also recommended.