Bevan Brittan bolsters social housing team with appointment of two banking and finance partners

Law firm Bevan Brittan has strengthened its social housing banking and finance practice with the appointment of two new partners.

Louise Leaver has more than 20 years’ experience in the banking and finance sector with a particular focus on social housing finance – acting for both borrowers and lenders – especially in the housing and projects sectors on all types of funding and security transactions.

Bevan Brittan said: “In recent years, Louise has used her city expertise and understanding of the social housing sector to help key funders and borrowers to innovate alternative funding structures including off-balance sheet delivery models, shared-ownership structures, unsecured funding, as well as joint arrangements with local authorities, developers and third party investors.”

She has advised a variety of clients including some of the largest housing associations, charities, corporate borrowers, investors, traditional and new lenders to the sector, it added.

Deborah Rowntree meanwhile has more than 10 years' experience of advising funders and borrowers on real estate development and investment transactions, acquisition finance deals, restructurings, general corporate financings, complex syndicated lending and re-financings.

Bevan Brittan said: “Deborah has regularly acted for major UK banks, lender clubs and property investment companies and has used her extensive real estate finance knowledge to support her housing clients’ expansion through joint ventures and development finance including novel finance and security provisions for airspace development.”

Leaver and Rowntree were previously at another top 100 firm.

Jonathan Turner, partner and head of Bevan Brittan’s Housing Practice, said: “Bevan Brittan has become one of the UK’s leading legal advisors within the social housing sector and we advise some of the largest housing associations, developers and funders in the sector.

“Louise and Deborah are an excellent addition to the Banking and Finance team supporting the social housing and infrastructure sectors’ expanding appetite and demand for more complex financing arrangements.”

Bevan Brittan’s housing practice advises over 70 housing associations, including many members of the G15 group.