Known for providing ‘very sound guidance’ and taking ’a commercial approach’, the banking and finance team fielded by Blake Morgan LLP is vastly experienced across a broad suite of lending arrangements including corporate refinancing, acquisition finance, real estate finance, development finance, asset based lending, asset finance, syndicated finance and inter-creditor arrangements. Thames Valley-based Paul Duggan jointly leads the practice alongside esteemed banking and finance practitioner Kath Shimmin, who works out of the firm’s office in Southampton. Duggan primarily represents clearing banks, lending institutions and corporate borrowers, while firm chairman Shimmin advises on the entire gamut of lending and finance transactions as well as securitisations and capital markets transactions. Legal director Jake Holmes is a key contact for complex leveraged and structured finance deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team at Blake Morgan provide very sound guidance, where they take a commercial approach, but ensure that their clients are fully informed of any risks associated. They are typically easy to get hold of and quick to respond to queries, producing work in an efficient manner.’
‘Jake Holmes provides clear advice and has a proactive attitude to moving transactions along at pace.'
‘The easiest firm to deal with in the Thames Valley on banking and finance matters! Always responsive, good commercial understanding – always explained in plain English – legal advice balanced with excellent commercial rationale.'
‘Iona Easton and Jake Holmes are very responsive and reliable, also straight forward to deal with. Able to advise in plain English and both very commercial in outlook, so if any obstacles are ever encountered, they will both always provide a perfectly sensible commercial solution.’
Key clients
- HSBC UK Bank Plc
- Santander UK Plc
- National Westminster Bank Plc
- Propel Finance Plc
- Nash Business Capital
- Metro Bank Plc
- Sutton and East Surrey Water Plc
- Development Bank of Wales
- The National Small-Bore Rifle Association
- The Menu Partners Limited
- Kyndryl UK Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Nash Business Capital in connection with three separate transactions with the same borrower entity, a care home owning and operating group.
- Acting for HSBC in connection with a £25m revolving credit facility to a provider of care and nursing staff for the purpose of providing working capital.
- Advising Kyndryl UK Limited, the UK arm of the global technology services company, Kyndryl Inc. on acceding to a multi-million dollar Global Payment Services Agreement with its lender and highlighting the key risks for the UK entity from a local perspective.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jake Holmes
Blake Morgan LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paul Duggan, Kath Shimmin