The social housing finance team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP is led by Lucy Grimwood. The group advises new investors in the sector, as well as for-profit registered providers, on the entire range of debt funding, including bank loans, development finance, private placements, bonds, and bespoke funding arrangements. Sustainable finance is a core element of the group’s practice, and a key focus for Grimwood especially. Other notable members of the group include Ruby Giblin, who acts for funders and borrowers in securing high-value loans, notes, bonds, and hedging arrangements, and Rosanagh Herries, who is experienced in debt capital market issues and bank facilities.

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Testimonials

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'The people are very engaging and accessible. They always seem to have someone available to respond to whatever queries we may have and whenever.'
'We have had many years of working relationship with Jill O'Reilly, which makes for better communication and she is easier to access. She is always happy to provide us with support when required.'

Key clients

Peabody
Clarion Housing Association Limited
M&G Trustee Company Limited
Longhurst Group
HALA
Major Housing Association
Metropolitan Housing Trust
Soho Housing Association
B3 Living
Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Spitalfields Housing Association
Hightown Housing Association
Greenhill Housing Association
MUFG
Bernicia
Lloyds Bank plc
Metro Bank
Notting Hill Genesis
M&G Investment Management Limited
VIVID Housing
A2 Dominion
London & Quadrant
BPHA
Sovereign Network Group
Hyde

Work highlights

Acted for Longhurst Group in its £100m retained further bonds issuance, which completed in March 2022, and three bond sales of the retained bonds, the last of which completed in April 2023.
Acted for VIVID in two unsecured shelf facilities with North American investors, Sun Life Capital Management, and Pacific Life.
Acted for Major Housing Association Limited, a for-profit Registered Provider, in negotiating and securing development finance with PP08 Finance Limited to fund the development of freehold property to provide a mixture of affordable rent and private rent units, with the remainder of the development being funded by a mix of grant and equity.