Emma Warren
Ashfords LLPAshfords LLP‘s large team advises on sales and purchases, leases, and easements, acting for numerous leading housebuilders, public sector clients, and a variety of corporates. In addition to residential and social housing developments, the practice has a wide breadth of experience ranging from real estate investments and secured lending matters through to energy and waste issues. Bristol’s Kate Topp leads the team, with Exeter’s Tim Heal, who is head of the real estate services division, being a key name on land and property acquisitions, joint ventures, and development matters. Also in Exeter is public sector lead Robin de Wreede, praised for his ’sensible, thorough and practical approach’. Plymouth team head James Heath is ‘practical, commercial and very approachable’, and Emma Warren is noted for renewable energy projects, while Simon Bailey handles transactional work. Paul Butterworth departed in July 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Good commercial and knowledgeable team.'
- 'Strong joined up approach within the commercial property team and within the firm. All done without any effort on my part and a seamless complete package by the firm.'
- 'Main contact is Robin de Wreede. Our organisation has been absolutely and totally satisfied, and grateful for the most excellent customer service, the constant attention to detail and the unstinting dedication to getting the end result.'
- 'Good understanding of all aspects our business and of the law pertaining to each. Practical advice and not afraid to tell us we are wrong but at the same time respectful of our position as the client. Critically, they are attuned to our approach to risk.'
- 'James Heath leads the team and provides us with rock solid advice. He is practical, commercial and very approachable.'
- 'Excellent service, it is all about getting deals done. You have to win both sides and be credible. We live in an ever more complex world, and it is so important to have advice that helps you navigate that.'
- 'Michael Gay, he cares about achieving what we need as a business.'
- 'A very strong team led by Robin de Wreede - highly responsive, communicates well in language understood by non-lawyers, excellent subject matter knowledge, comes up with really practical solutions, highly proactive and willing to take lead on behalf of client, excellent judgement.'
Key clients
- Barwood Development Securities Limited
- Exeter Science Park Limited (ESPL)
- Loungers UK Limited
- London Borough of Wandsworth
- Brick by Brick Croydon Limited
- HFL Group Limited
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Biffa Waste Services Limited
- Viridor Limited
- Compass Children’s Homes
- The Royal Parks Limited and TRP Trading Company Limited
- Post Office Limited
- Ashford Borough Council
- Darts Farm
- Hitchcocks Business Park Limited
- Exeter City Council
- DP World London Gateway
- Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall
Work highlights
- Acting for DP World on real estate matters across its estate in Southampton and Thurrock, Essex.
- Acting for Devonshire Homes Limited on the acquisition of land in Ilfracombe, North Devon with planning for 347 new homes.
- Acting for a large regional housebuilder on the purchase of development land with consent for up to 650 dwellings from a consortium of seven landowners, involving the phased drawdown of the site.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Simon Bailey
Ashfords LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kate Topp