CHAMBERS UK 2009 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOWARD KENNEDY
CORPORATE FINANCE
AIM and Lower Mid-Market
"Hard-working, reliable and efficient”, this outfit is described as “a sensible choice for any entrepreneurial business”. Real estate is the firm’s biggest department and much of the corporate group’s work has a property element. However, the team also has broader expertise: it acted for Global Radio UK on the acquisition of the Chrysalis Group radio operation for £170 million, and advised Wellness Foods on the purchase of Streamfoods. On the AIM front, the team advised Deloitte Corporate Finance and Shore Capital Stockbrokers, as NOMAD and broker respectively, on the flotation and £75 million placing of St Peter Port Capital. The team is also a leading light in VCT instructions.
REAL ESTATE
Real Estate - mainly mid market
“Howard Kennedy provides concise commercial advice and personable service,” commend clients, who value the attention and input they receive from principal lawyers at the firm. The team works closely with partners in construction, litigation and tax to provide a full service to its clients, and is experienced at advising overseas clients investing in the UK on inward investment and related structuring. An impressive client list features Frogmore, which the firm advised on the £64 million sale of 183-213 Old Street, London. Property department head Paul Springall “is an accomplished expert who thinks outside the box”, which can be especially helpful in securing an advantage for this client. Eric Gummers has a great reputation in the hotel and leisure sector, where he specialises in membership clubs, loyalty programmes, shared ownership and condominimum-hotels. Leading individuals: Paul Springall
Real Estate - Finance
This strong team “focuses on getting the job done rather than scoring unnecessary points.” One notable instruction of the past year involved advising Bank of Scotland on the £97 million term facility for the purchase of three buildings at Euston Station office campus; other clients include Irish Nationwide Building Society, Citibank and Merchant Place Corporate Finance. Jason Lewis leads the team, and is lauded for being “approachable, extremely good at problem solving and wonderfully commercial.” Leading individuals: Jason Lewis.
Travel
The practice specialises in timeshare matters, and is praised by clients for being “responsive, knowledgeable and always ready and willing to provide sound advice.” It assists a variety of hotel and leisure groups with mixed-use developments and resorts, and recently advised Las Colinas de Marbella on a new luxury resort in Spain to be managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. “Bright and straightforward”, Eric Gummers is “extremely able at the technical aspects of deals,” say sources, who add: “He always offers excellent client care.” Leading individuals: Eric Gummers.