Blacks Solicitors strengthens Real Estate offering

Following a spate of expansions including new hires and specialisms, Blacks Solicitors has announced that the Commercial Property team, which has seen a 17% increase in turnover over the past four years, has rebranded to Real Estate. The rebrand has taken place to better reflect the specialist property offering available at the firm.

By September 2023, the team will have transacted deals at a value of over £500m and projected turnover is set to reach well over £2m.

Over the years, the team has developed from offering general commercial property practice to a wide range of specialisms. The Real Estate team now supports developers, investors, landlords and occupiers across the UK with specialist knowledge in energy, development, holiday & home park sector, banking & property finance, telecoms, property litigation, planning and enfranchisement.

Following the significant expansion and growth in turnover, the team is looking to build on its client base both regionally and nationally. The team continues to act as a key advisor for high profile clients including Bank of India, Vida Healthcare and Harrogate Spring Water, including the recent sale to Danone. 

Matthew Hutchinson, a Partner in the Real Estate team who leads the energy specialism, commented: “Over the years, as energy becomes an increasing focus for the Government and property industry, we’ve seen a growth in the number of developers, landowners and investors seeking advice. This is particularly the case for projects including utility scale generating, storage transactions, and meter developments. 

“As UK businesses continue to face numerous energy challenges, I’m looking forward to growing this specialist offering within the team so that we can continue to support property professionals in building a sustainable energy future at a time where energy uncertainty is growing.”

Over the past three years, the team has seen 13 new appointments who continue to provide support to a variety of clients. This includes Andrew Pedley as a Partner, and Richard Morton who was appointed in 2022 to lead the banking team nationally which provides advice on matters including real estate finance.

Nick Dyson, Head of Real Estate, added: “I’m extremely proud of the growth that our team has seen over the past few years. It’s testament to the hard work of everyone involved, particularly when market conditions remain tough. As one of Yorkshire’s leading law firms with a national presence, we have significant ambitions when it comes to our experienced team delivering an exceptional service to a growing number of sophisticated developers and investors across the UK.”