Helen Hayward
Head of Commercial Property
"Recommended lawyer." - Legal 500, 2022
Former fashion house lawyer Helen Hayward joined Burnetts as a solicitor in 2013 relocating from London to be near family in Cumbria. She became a Partner in 2017 and is head of the Commercial Property team.
She has experience in all areas of commercial property, and acts for a diverse range of clients. She regularly deals with major sales and acquisitions, refinancing and development projects, but has a special interest in leasehold work and retail/office acquisition and development.
Helen has built up an excellent client base in Cumbria and beyond, and looks after clients with considerable property portfolios, both investors and several significant property occupiers in the retail, education and leisure sectors. Helen also heads up our SIPP/SASS pension team which is appointed to the panel of a leading provider of self-invested pensions.
Originally from the North East, Helen studied at the University of Bristol, the University of Groningen in Holland and Nottingham Law School.
In 2002, after training at London city law firm Stephenson Harwood, Helen spent several years at the West End law firm Boodle Hadfield in their property development team. She advised developers and investors on a variety of high value property projects including the acquisition of several major office and retail developments.
In 2007, she joined iconic British fashion brand and FTSE 100 company Burberry, where she worked as Senior Legal Counsel for more than five years, managing the legal affairs of the PLC’s global retail and corporate property portfolio. During this time she developed a keen retail lease specialism and was involved in multi-million pound lettings, several significant disposals and the relocation of the company’s central London headquarters.
Helen and her family enjoy fell walking in the Lakes most weekends. She also enjoys yoga and fundraising for the Carlisle branch of the NSPCC.
Helen is very good to work with. She is knowledgeable, commercial, available and understands our company- Chambers, 2022
