Mark Benham
Lester Aldridge LLPThe real estate team at Lester Aldridge LLP has a strong track record assisting with finance and restructuring matters, investments, and transactions, spanning residential developments, healthcare and senior housing properties, hotels, ports and marinas. Located in Bournemouth, Mark Benham leads the department and acts for landlords and tenants, housebuilders, developers, PLCs, and care home providers. In the same office, real estate finance head Suki Samra is another key contact, also noted for his expertise in enfranchisement work. In Southampton, planning expert Tom Alder leads the development team, and Michelle Musker acts for mortgage lenders, while associate Phoebe Chandler handles transaction work, as well as bridging and secured lending finance matters. Sam Wylie joined from Moore Barlow in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Lester Aldridge are a highly supportive and enthusiastic firm. They are responsive, incredibly accommodating and listen and engage with us regularly.'
Key clients
- McCarthy Stone
- Big Yellow
- Yorkshire Building Society
- University of Southampton
- Care South
- Allica Bank
- Lloyds Bank plc
- Meyrick Estate
- Horizon Care & Education Group
- Breeze Motor Group
Work highlights
- Advised Big Yellow Group plc on the real estate aspects of its £300m refinance in 2023, which put in place a new ESG-linked facility for a minimum of three years.
- Advised McCarthy Stone on its new land acquisition programme for older persons’ shared ownership affordable housing sites.
- Advised Yorkshire Building Society on the purchase of a large property portfolio.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Suki Samra
Lester Aldridge LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mark Benham, Suki Samra, Tom Alder