Devonshires Solicitors LLP

Andrew Cowan

Andrew is a Partner and  a member of our banking and governance team. His team acts for over 200 social housing providers and local authorities in England, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland and as panel solicitors for the Homes and Communities Agency including For Profit providers. Andrew and his the team act for funders and over 180 housing associations based over England, Wales and Scotland on their general fundraising and project specific finance (such as PFI and joint ventures). Andrew has a particular specialism in governance and regulation of for social housing, and M&A within the social housing sector and joint ventures. Andrew is a regular contributor in relation to policy issues affecting the social housing sector.  He is a regular speaker on housing finance, group structures and housing strategies. Andrew is a trustee of HACT, the Theatre Royal Stratford, Swan Mountain Trust and non-executive director of Seymour Street Homes, a subsidiary of British Land PLC and a member of the finance committee of the Theatre Royal Stratford.

Donna McCarthy

Donna is the Head of Devonshires’ Housing Management and Property Litigation department. She heads up a team advising on all aspects of housing management law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including possession proceedings; actions to restrain Anti-Social Behaviour; injunctions and disrepair actions. She also advises social landlords on matters of housing policy and procedure. She has particular specialism in matters relating to mental health, capacity and safeguarding and is part of the Devonshires Care Group. Donna heads up LandlordPLUS, a service dedicated to social and private landlords offering properties for market rent. Donna is Devonshires Solicitors most prolific trainer, regularly presenting seminars to clients and is responsible for co-ordinating the Housing Management training programme. She is a regular speaker at internal and external events and has spoken at conferences held by the NHF, Capita, Resolve ASB and the Law Society. She also speaks in schools as part of the Inspiring the Future programme. Donna is actively involved in Devonshires Corporate Social Responsibility Programme and is a trustee of the Devonshires Charitable Foundation.