Providing ‘solutions-focused advice’ to an ever-expanding roster of Wales-based housing associations, the ’very knowledgeable and helpful’ team at Clarke Willmott LLP is appreciated in particular for its finance expertise in the space. With deep practical fee-earning experience and membership of the Property Finance Working Group, the ’outstanding’ Vicky Kells is ‘extremely knowledgeable of lender requirements’, ensuring that bank and bond financings proceed very smoothly. The ’cool, calm and collected’ Fraser MacRae has excellent insight as a result of his balanced lender/borrower offering and is a key contact across a range of secured funding transactions, from bilateral/syndicated loans through to private placements involving institutional investors. Outside the firm's finance work, Clare Gregory provides ‘responsive and solutions-oriented’ advice to RSLs on acquisitions, disposals and developments.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is very knowledgeable and helpful.'
  • 'The group provides very solutions-focused advice.'
  • 'Vicky Kells is extremely knowledgeable of lender requirements and current practice which smooths transactions through.'
  • 'Vicky Kells and Charlotte Lord are highly experienced in social housing security exercises.'

Key clients

  • RHA Wales
  • Hafod Housing Association
  • Tai Calon
  • Wales & West Housing Association
  • United Welsh Housing Association
  • Caredig
  • Orbit Group
  • Melin Homes
  • Bromford Group
  • Cadwyn
  • Southern Housing
  • Principality Building Society
  • Isle of Anglesey
  • Cardiff Community Housing Association
  • Gloucester City Homes
  • Triodos Bank UK

Work highlights

  • Advised Tai Calon on its £105m refinancing with NatWest and undertaking title due diligence on 6,000 homes.
  • Acted for RHA on its acquisition of over 300 tenanted homes from two different housing associations.
  • Negotiating a SAB (sustainable drainage approving body) agreement for United Welsh with Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Vicky Kells, Lindsay Felstead

Other key lawyers

Fraser MacRae, Bethan Evans, Clare Gregory, Charlotte Lord, Scott Keddle