Advising a range of not-for-profit registered providers, as well as pension funds, REITs and local authorities, Gowling WLG offers broad cross-sector experience in social housing, with a particular focus on major investments. Jacqueline Knox is head of the affordable housing team and specialises in social housing development and non-contentious housing management matters. Sally Farrall spearheads the firm’s affordable housing investment practice. Principal associate Gemma Courtenay has been a key contact on the firm’s social development projects for clients including Sanctuary Housing and Legal & General Affordable Homes. The Birmingham practice often operates on a cross-office basis, working closely with the firm’s London office, in which Richard Beckingsale leads on regeneration, and Dominic Morris advises on senior living.

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Key clients

Sanctuary Housing Group
Metropolitan Thames Valley
Clarion Housing Group
London and Quadrant
Bournville Village Trust
TP Impact Housing
London Borough of Barnet
LaSalle Investment Management
BAE Systems Pension Funds Trustees Limited
Coal Pension Properties Ltd
KW Housing Limited
Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee
Triple Point Investment Management LLP
Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc
Horizon Infrastructure Partnership
Universities Superannuation Scheme
Legal & General Affordable Homes
Hyde Housing
Fox Hound Capital
Symmetry Housing CIC
Vengrove
Anchor
CBRE

Work highlights

Advised Sanctuary Housing Association on its acquisition of the troubled Swan Housing Association, following the withdrawal of Orbit from merger discussions.
Acted for Legal & General Affordable Homes in relation to the establishment of its 50:50 joint venture with Metropolitan Trent Valley Housing, through its shared ownership brand So Resi, targeting the delivery of over 2,500 shared ownership and affordable rent homes.