Addleshaw Goddard’s large, dedicated finance team covers the full spectrum of mandates for notable clients across the energy, finance, health, transport and retail and consumer sectors. The group covers corporate, leveraged and asset finance, as well as asset-based lending, project finance and derivatives-based transactions. The team is led by Martin O’Shea, an expert in real estate and corporate financing who recently advised JD Sports on the financing aspects of their $1bn acquisition of rival Hibbett. Among the other experienced partners in the team are Richard Oman, who focuses on corporate lending and acquisition finance, Andrew Maskill, who specialises in asset finance, and Katie Ridehalgh, a key contact for real estate finance transactions. Ben Edwards, Elizabeth Wareing, Sarah Jay and Lauren Priest-Stephens are further key names in the department, with the latter two having been promoted to partner in May 2024.

DLA Piper demonstrates strength in leveraged, asset and debt finance and asset-based lending (ABL) matters, where the team frequently acts for both lenders and borrowers, which include large corporates, banks and property developers. Practice head Joseph Frew excels in ABL and real estate finance, while Matthew Christmas is an expert in all forms of international leveraged finance, including unitranche, super senior and FOLO. Rebecca Williams is well versed in asset finance structures and block discounting, Charles Weems is adept at leveraged and acquisition finance and corporate lending and Alastair Carruthers advises banking and financial services clients on ABL. Claire Dyer is a key senior associate in the team, acting on various debt finance mandates. Alex Yeramian left the firm in January 2025.

Major banks, local private debt funds, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors are among the clients who regularly turn to Pinsent Masons LLP for advice on corporate lending, real estate, education, leveraged and acquisition finance, public sector lending and asset-based lending. Matt Morgan leads the practice and handles real estate and corporate finance in both domestic and cross-border transactions. Tim Fearn is highly regarded for his expertise in leveraged finance, Samantha Rollason’s broad practice encompasses advice on the restructuring of real estate transactions and funds as well as public sector finance, and Catherine Donnelly handles debt financing matters.

Advising an array of financial institutions, private equity sponsors and corporates, Squire Patton Boggs is noted for its expertise in leveraged finance transactions, real estate and infrastructure finance, public funding and asset-based lending structures. Matthew Ingram heads up the practice and covers a host of transaction financing and refinancing, including leveraged, real estate and corporate. Claire Shepherd specialises in commercial lending, including syndicated, term and revolving facilities and Andrew Kirkham’s broad practice covers bilateral and syndicated facilities and security matters for banks. Mariche Chambers, Ben Shore and Caroline Morris are further key banking and finance contacts in the North West.

Brabners LLP's broad banking and finance practice is well placed to advise both lender and borrower-side mandates, encompassing leveraged and structured finance, acquisition and real estate finance, asset-based lending and mezzanine finance. Andrew O’Mahony in Liverpool and Richard Cowan in Manchester share leadership of the team, with the former frequently advising on borrowing requirements for registered housing providers in the social housing sector, and the latter handling a litany of financing matters, including revolving credit facilities and syndicated financing. Helen Burns strengthens the team in the real estate finance field. Michael Francos-Downs joined the team from Clarion in June 2024.

The DWF finance and restructuring group often handles public sector funding arrangements for local authorities and government bodies, next to the work they do in energy, real estate, education and corporate financing. James Szerdy is the practice head based in the North West and is adept at corporate lending, often working for clients in the automotive industry. Paul Brown and Eleanor Cook are also key members of the team.

Shoosmiths LLP centres its Manchester-based practice on real estate finance transactions, advising various funds, PE investors, mezzanine lenders and local authorities on the lender side, while also counselling several high-profile property developers and corporates on the borrower side. Liz Sweeney leads the practice and has extensive banking and finance expertise across real estate development projects, including student accommodation, built-to-rent, leisure, office and healthcare developments. The team houses a strong associate bench comprising of Alice Casey, Sam Jadhav, Hannah Tinsley and Saima Rasool, who continue to be active on real estate finance transactions. The team was strengthened in January 2025 with the addition of Alex Yeramian from DLA Piper, who brings expertise in leveraged finance, acquisition finance and corporate lending and joins the team as a partner.

The banking and finance group at TLT regularly assists financial institutions, banks, corporates and real estate companies on real estate finance matters, with a particular niche in social housing transactions, an area in which practice head Paul Crighton offers extensive experience. Paul Brock is increasingly active on structured finance mandates, alongside recent experience in private securitisations.

Leading Weightmans LLP‘s Liverpool-based banking and finance group is Patricia Grinyer, who is highly experienced in the establishment and operation of various fund types, financing, banking and security work. Like Grinyer, the broader team focuses on public sector finance and advice to fund managers, while also handling mainstream banking matters and consumer finance regulations. The team was bolstered in May 2024 with the addition of Deepak Purushothaman from Hill Dickinson LLP, who is active on both borrower and lender-side mandates, handling leveraged and structured finance. John Kemp is a key name in the department and handles acquisition financing, fund establishment, refinancing and restructuring.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s practice has experience advising lenders and borrowers on various debt finance and PE-funded transactions. Graham Ball is a key part of the firm’s national banking and finance practice and is based in Manchester, advising clients on leveraged and acquisition finance, asset-based lending and real estate finance. Strengthening the team at associate level are healthcare finance specialist Beth Nixon, Angela Faulkner, who joined the team in March 2024 from Legal Clarity Limited and Thomas Donohoe, who joined the team in May 2024 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, both of whom bring expertise in real estate finance matters.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP frequently lends financing support on high value transactions for both public and private listed companies. The team’s further workload includes real estate finance, leveraged finance and corporate lending. Practice head Jason Wurzal advises corporate borrowers, financial institutions and sponsors on acquisition finance and loan facilities. Hannah McAdam is a further key name in the team and is adept at corporate banking, leveraged finance and real estate finance matters. Among the recent departures from the team were Thomas Donohoe and Rebecca Williams.

The broad financial markets and products team at Fieldfisher has significant expertise in a range of finance work, namely derivatives, structured finance, real estate finance, restructuring and insolvency and regulatory advice. Key practitioners based in the North West are Charlotte Round, who is experienced in various financing transactions, which includes bilateral and syndicated loans and offshore finance transactions, and William Hollins, who is also active on these mandates.

Gateley Legal has a strong track record advising PE houses, management teams and debt funders, UK clearing banks and other lenders on various debt structures, while also demonstrating strength in real estate and acquisition finance, aided by the close collaboration with the firm’s corporate and real estate practice groups. Practice head Richard Sealy covers structured, real estate, investment and secured finance as well as bond and surety-related financing. Christopher Lister and Rebecca Mills are further key contacts in the team.

The banking practice at Kuit Steinart Levy LLP is known for assisting notable banks, including Lloyds, RBS and NatWest, on debt finance transactions, acquisition finance and particularly real estate finance, which is practice head George MacMillan’s area of specialism. Further active real estate finance practitioners are Alison Kellett, Meave O’Neill and Samuel Jackson.

Leading Trowers & Hamlins LLP's Manchester-based banking and finance group is Eleanor James, who is well versed in housing finance, particularly in the social housing sector, as is co-practice head Melanie Comer, who is additionally specialized in property securities. The team regularly handles property investment finance, development finance, bridging finance and senior and mezzanine finance as part of this. Joanne Judge provides support on lender-side mandates.