Law firm Blake Morgan strengthens Thames Valley Real Estate offering with three key hires

The Thames Valley offices of leading national law firm Blake Morgan are building upon their successful real estate practice in the region with the appointment of three new key hires.

Real estate partner Andrew Farmery joins the firm from Shoosmiths where he has spent the last 13 years providing advice to corporate occupiers and institutional investors, with a particular focus on the retail, office, leisure and industrial sectors. With over 20 years’ experience in real estate he brings with him a wealth of expertise in acquisitions, disposals and portfolio management for businesses in the UK.

Andrew is joined by senior associate George Pantelli, who has over 10 years’ experience advising institutional investors, corporate occupiers and property funds on all areas of commercial real estate. Prior to joining Blake Morgan, George was senior legal counsel at Hewlett Packard Enterprise where he was responsible for advising the company on all property related matters across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Senior solicitor, Sophie Boswell joins Blake Morgan from DX Network Services Limited where she was property legal counsel.  Sophie has experience working with a range of clients within the office, industrial and logistics sector in relation to all aspects of commercial lease management.  Sophie qualified at Shoosmiths in Reading where the trio previously worked together.

Andrew, George and Sophie will be based in the firm’s Thames Valley Offices. Blake Morgan’s Thames Valley real estate practice has been going from strength to strength advising on a number of key deals in the region. The new team members will enhance the current offering and support the growth in demand for real estate legal advice from businesses with operations in the Thames Valley.

The firm has continued to invest and expand its Built Environment and Real Estate team and recently announced the launch of a new Project and Cost Management division. Believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, Blake Morgan will now offer project and cost management consultancy to the property and construction sector alongside traditional legal services.

Commenting on the latest real estate appointments, Phil Jardine, director of built environment at Blake Morgan, said:

“This is an exciting time for our real estate practice in Thames Valley as we grow our team in line with the continued investment in the regional property market. Andrew has an excellent reputation as a leading real estate expert and will be a great addition to the team. I would also like to welcome George and Sophie who will further strengthen our real estate offering in the region.”

Andrew commented on his appointment: “The Thames Valley is the best performing UK region outside of London and continues to drive investment in to the region’s commercial property market. I am excited to join Blake Morgan, who have a well-established and highly regarded team of real estate lawyers in the region coupled with an ambition to strengthen further.  It is also fantastic to have the opportunity to work again with George and Sophie, who share my commitment to ensure our clients achieve their business objectives.”

Blake Morgan has a formidable Real Estate team of more than 60 lawyers who deal with a wide range of real estate projects including commercial and residential development, property investment and asset management, corporate occupier work and within the rural and agricultural sectors.  The Southampton Real Estate team was named Property Law Firm of the year at the 2017 South Coast Property Awards.

The team has extensive experience of advising businesses on the acquisition, management, leasing and sale of high value commercial properties, from single properties to large portfolios.