Linklaters LLP

Real estate.

Simon is a highly experienced real estate lawyer with versatile expertise in corporate real estate transactions, including joint ventures and acquisitions and disposals of real estate assets and holding structures. He advises developers and investors on the full scope of contractual arrangements, including leases, management and development agreements. He has specialist knowledge concerning development projects, the financing of investments and dealing with insolvent or distressed assets and structures.

Simon also has particular experience in the hotel sector, acting for investors, developers and funders on hotel and branded residences transactions throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East and on the negotiation of operator agreements.

Work highlights:

Simon has advised on a wide range of high-profile real estate deals. These include advising:

TIAA on the establishment of a three-way joint venture with the Swedish national pension funds, Forsta AP-Fonden and Andra AP-Fonden, to create a £3bn office fund with assets in the UK, France and Germany and on the acquisition of 60 Great Portland Street, London W1 a North American pension fund on its formation of a £1bn joint venture with Aviva Life over a portfolio of real estate assets in central London Brookfield on the disposal of a 50% interest in the Principal Place London office development project to the Italian asset management company Antirion SGR, based on an asset value of £763m Meyer Bergman, a real estate investment management firm, on the acquisition of a portfolio of 14 residential development sites from Tesco for £250m and ongoing development advice a Middle Eastern investor on the acquisition of a five-star London hotel for £280m TIAA on the acquisition of the Lakeside Extra Retail Park and Tunnel Retail Park from Hammerson for £93m Brait, the South African private equity group, on the acquisitions of New Look Retail and Virgin Active gyms

Partner, Linklaters, 2015 to date

Simon is a trustee of the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust, which is responsible for maintaining and operating Herne Hill Velodrome in South London.  First constructed in 1891, it is the last remaining finals venue from the 1948 London Olympic Games.

Simon studied classics at St John’s College, University of Cambridge.