Firm expands social housing team with a trio of appointments
Browne Jacobson has made three appointments to its team of social housing legal experts.
Richard Macphail joins the Cardiff office as partner and co-head of social housing alongside Gabor Taller.
Francesca Smith and Holly Chadwick are senior associate additions, taking the number of lawyers with expertise in social housing real estate to 14 people.
Richard, an experienced property lawyer who was previously head of social housing at Hugh James, predominantly acts for housing associations and developers in England and Wales, as well as for local authorities in relation to their portfolio management work.
He specialises in site acquisitions, including package deals, golden brick agreements, section 106 schemes, development agreements, options and promotion agreements.
Richard said: ‘Ever since Browne Jacobson opened an office in Cardiff in July last year, I’ve been able to see first-hand how it has shaken up the Welsh legal market with a dynamic offering underpinned by a clear social mobility value.
‘It’s therefore a hugely exciting time to be joining a sizeable and growing UK and Ireland firm that is positioning itself at the forefront of society’s biggest issues, and has the strength and depth to advise clients on complex issues.’
Gabor added: ‘These senior appointments represent a significant strengthening of our social housing team. They are all recognised experts with proven track records in delivering for housing associations and developers in England and Wales—they are a great fit.
‘We now act for more than a quarter of all strategic partner registered providers in England, which will play a hugely important role in the government’s manifesto pledge to “deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation”, while our presence in the Welsh sector continues to grow at pace.
‘With Richard taking a leadership role, and supported by Francesca and Holly’s additions, we are well-equipped to support this sector during a hugely important period.’
Pictured above, left to right: Francesca Smith, Richard Macphail, Holly Chadwick and Gabor Taller
