Simon Boss has been appointed as the head of Edge Ellison’s retail property unit.
Twenty lawyers at the Birmingham-based firm focus on advising retailers on acquisitions, disposals and portfolio management. Five members of the group are based in London, following Edge Ellison’s acquisition of niche property practice Stones Porter last year. The team has also recruited a further six lawyers in the last year.
Boss says the team works in client-specific groups, servicing retailers such as T&S Stores, Superdrug, Laura Ashley and Allied Domecq. He added: “The property requirements of major retailers is a day-to-day need. The idea is to give an in-house feel by ensuring they deal with the same people 365 days a year. We try to get involved in structuring and planning disposals, so when they go to the market they have already had consultancy on the legal issues.”
The unit’s biggest deal in the last 12 months was the acquisition of M&W plc’s 179 stores by T&S for £50m.
Overall, Edge Ellison’s property department numbers 60 fee-earners. The firm recently acted for Henderson Investors and Commercial Union on the sale of the Kingfisher Centre, Redditch.
See also:
- Edge & Ellison expands London operation with Stones Porter merger PLS News 14/10/98
- Redditch centre gets £60m boost from new owner Thornfield PLS News 15/3/99
PLS News 17/3/99
