Legal


Clarke Willmott advises on record housing deal


Law firm Clarke Willmott has advised on a multi-million pound deal resulting in the creation of one of the largest housing associations in the UK. The refinancing of £440m of its


syndicated loan portfolio was necessary as part of Amicus Horizon’s merger with Viridian Housing, which saw the creation of a new business known as Optivo, which owns 44,000 homes across London, the South East and the West Midlands. With 90,000 tenants across the


UK, Optivo has an annual turnover of £306m. Vicky Kells, partner and social


Vicky Kells: largest ever transaction


housing expert at the firm formed part of the team that advised on the deal, including the charging of just over 12,000 residential properties, which is the largest single transaction the Clarke Willmott housing finance team has handled with to date. Her extensive experience of working with registered


providers/registered social landlords and Welsh RSLs was crucial to making sure the deal went smoothly.


Being able to build more properties will also help ease the growing pressure for more new housing


The new organisation is now planning a £3.5bn investment programme, which includes the building of 1,500 homes per year by 2021. It has also set itself a target


that 16 per cent of its new-build stock will be for open market sale, 44 per cent affordable rented and 40 per cent shared ownership. Vicky said: “The restructuring


of the new business, especially from a financial perspective, will help Optivo channel the savings made into building much needed housing stock and giving people places to live. Being able to build more properties will also help ease the growing pressure for more new housing so it’s good news all round.” Tom Paul, director of treasury


and risk at Optivo, said: “I have been really impressed with the


pace at which Vicky and her team work. Deals of this scale can get bogged down with property security work - but with Vicky on the case we were confident all would be done in good time.”


Sector Focus


Law firm backs children’s charity


Birmingham law firm Browne Jacobson has announced that Edward’s Trust will be its chosen charity for 2017-18. Edward’s Trust is a charity that


offers a bereavement service to children, young people and parents across the West Midlands region. The charity was set up in 1989 by


Peter and Hilary Dent in memory of their son Edward, who died of cancer aged seven at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The charity works with more than 600 families each year and offers one-to-one counselling, support groups, specialist respite bereavement retreats, remembrance services, children’s social activities and a well-being service. Last year the firm raised nearly


£18k for good causes across its five office network. Jo Linforth, fundraising executive


at the charity said: “It is fantastic to have Browne Jacobson on board with Edward’s Trust. “Their offer to support us over the


coming year will really highlight the important work that the charity does, and will help raise funds to enable us to continue supporting children and families across the region who are facing loss and experiencing bereavement.”


Jacobs Law Solicitors has a dedicated team of lawyers headed by Mr H. Bashir (Partner/Solicitor) who specialise in all aspects of Family Law.


An unfortunate part of family life is on occasions things stop working and separation and breakup is necessary. This is always a tough time for any individual and many people who are going through separation and Divorce need help with divorce applications, child arrangements and clarity on how the finances between the parties will need to be dealt with. Jacobs Law Solicitors has an incredibly experienced team who can help you through managing your divorce, financial assets and child arrangements, however simple or complex they may be. Jacobs Law will endeavour to take as much of the stress out of the process as possible. The fees will be competitive and a solicitor will always be available to talk to you as and when required.


We aim to provide you with professional legal advice accompanied with practical solutions which will suit you best. We offer the first consultation for up to 30 mins for free so that you know who we are before you commit to us.


Our solicitors aim to give you clear and concise advice, so that you are fully informed and you are able to make a decision about how you want your family law case to proceed.


Jacobs House • 180 Soho Hill • Birmingham • B19 1AG T: 0121 551 2189 September 2017 CHAMBERLINK 57


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