Richard Miller (Partner and Head of Property) is our dedicated Banking client partner. His role is to develop and maintain the best possible relationships with our clients. Richard is ultimately responsible for the legal services we provide to lenders and their customers and his focus is on ensuring that we are the “go to” firm for banking work across all sectors. Richard also has a hands-on role providing expertise on complex agricultural matters.

Sarah Willshire (Partner and Head of Banking and Property Finance) is the day to day point of contact for all lending matters and for general advice about potential deals or structures. With a background in both property and banking, Sarah combines impressive technical legal expertise with the ability to take a commercial view in order to drive the transaction forward. She is also our construction expert and regularly reviews building contracts and advises on collateral warranties for development deals.

Vaughan Jones (Partner and Head of Corporate) has over 30 years’ experience of banking and corporate transactions. His sensible and practical approach allows us to identify and cover-off potential issues at the outset. Vaughan’s input is invaluable on deals involving share purchases, partnerships and complex corporate structures (particularly in the healthcare sector).

Caroline Swift (Senior Associate) joined the team in March 2020, bringing with her a wealth of corporate and healthcare experience, gained over the past 20 years working as a solicitor. Having previously worked at a specialist healthcare firm, Caroline is a recognised expert in this sector, with an impressive knowledge of regulatory matters and a unique understanding of the marketplace.

Rebecca Joy (Senior Associate) has focused on secured lending work since she qualified in 2007. She is experienced in handling both commercial and residential property refinances and purchases, including dealing with foreign companies, new developments and healthcare matters. Her great efficiency means that she is particularly adept at dealing with large portfolios. As an expert on trust structures, Rebecca also handles lending for agricultural matters.

Melissa McManus (Senior Associate) is an excellent corporate lawyer, with experience of acting for a variety of trading business as well as lenders. Her speed and efficiency when reviewing large amounts of corporate due diligence allows us to deliver a fast service even on the most complex business acquisition deals. One of Melissa’s areas of specialism is healthcare and she has an impressive understanding of NHS contracts and regulatory matters.

Neil Freeman (Associate) is a Legal Executive with a wealth of experience in both commercial and residential property, with a particular specialism in secured lending, having worked in the banking teams of both Eversheds and Ward Hadaway in Newcastle. As a former in-house lawyer at a large Registered Social Landlord, he also has experience of property issues in the context of social housing.

Marc Caffrey (Banking Consultant) joined the team in June 2018 from Lloyds Bank, where he worked for 30 years, with the last 12 years spent in SME Banking. Having been both a Relationship Manager and an ARD, Marc has extensive experience of all Lloyds’ processes and systems (from writing and submitting the credit proposal through to drawdown of funds). Marc’s experience has enabled us to adapt and streamline our internal systems to provide the best possible service to our lender clients.

Jane Jubb (Paralegal) combines almost 20 years’ experience of working within a Bank’s Securities Centre with 10 years as a paralegal. Jane’s role is to liaise with the valuer, the lender and the customer’s solicitors to line up completion and to ensure that funds are released within the required timescales. She is also responsible for protecting the lender’s security after completion (by registration at Companies House and the Land Registry).

Karen Threadgill (Paralegal) left Lloyds Bank in June 2018 and joined our team. As an Associate Relationship Director, Karen supported relationship managers specialising in Healthcare, Real Estate and Agriculture. Karen takes responsibility for pushing deals over the line and has an extremely thorough and well organised working style. Her detailed knowledge of a lending deal from the lender’s perspective is invaluable in lining up and then completing a new loan.

Sara Riddlesden (Paralegal) and Jemma Littlefair (Paralegal) work closely with the other members of the team to prepare Reports on Title and other documents needed to complete each matter. They also assist Jane and Karen with post-completion tasks including liaising with Companies House and the Land Registry to ensure registration of the lender’s security after drawdown of funds.