National law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Simon Owen to be its new National Head of Banking and Finance. Simon joins from Trowers & Hamlins where he was a Banking and Finance partner and the Head of Real Estate Finance. He will be based in Irwin Mitchell’s London office.
Simon has considerable experience in real estate finance, corporate banking and restructuring and refinancing, advising both lenders and borrowers. Particular sector specialisms include development finance, healthcare and hotels.
He joins a growing National Banking and Finance team which numbers over 20 qualified staff.
Simon’s appointment is also a boost for the firm’s London office which in the last eighteen months has recruited a new National Head of Real Estate, Adrian Barlow, a new National Head of Residential Property, Jeremy Raj and new Head of Tax, Sarah Cardew. At the end of 2018 the firm also recruited Winston Green from Sainsbury’s Bank for its growing Commercial division and Debbie Serota as a partner to join its London corporate practice.
Victoria Brackett, Chief Executive of Irwin Mitchell’s Business Legal Services Division said, “Simon’s appointment is a great boost to our Banking and Finance Division. As a senior banking lawyer with over 25 years’ experience he brings significant banking, corporate and entrepreneurial contacts to the firm, as well as a wealth of knowledge in his field. Through his previous role as Head of Real Estate Finance, he will also be a great support to our expanding real estate teams, both in London and nationally. We are committed to developing our national teams and this appointment in London plays an important part in that investment plan, helping us to fulfil our ambition of providing first-class advice to clients in today’s fast moving business environment.”
Adrian Barlow, National Head of Real Estate at Irwin Mitchell, said, “Clients increasingly require their real estate lawyers to offer the full range of services – in addition to pure real estate, expertise in litigation, tax and banking & finance is a must. As well as leading our Banking and Finance team generally, Simon will bring a greater depth of experience and expertise to our real estate finance offer, benefitting our existing clients and helping to attract new ones. He has a great number of contacts within the real estate industry that will help us to achieve our growth plans.”
Irwin Mitchell currently has over 35 partners offering real estate advice.
