Ben, who has acted on transactional matters for a wide-range of major national retailers on property acquisitions and disposals, and managed large property portfolios for multi-site corporate occupiers and investors, joins Thrings from Bristol-headquartered law firm, TLT.
Since being admitted as a solicitor in 2002, he has advised on numerous sales and purchases and landlord and tenant matters, negotiated leases for shops and other properties, acted for high street retailers and pension fund investors, and provided landlords and tenants with estate management advice.
The appointment also reinforces Thrings’ healthcare proposition, with Ben having previously advised clients and worked with lenders on care home developments and acquisitions, the construction, development and property management of GP surgeries, and lettings to pharmacies and other onsite health services.
Ben – who will be based in Bristol while working closely with Thrings colleagues in London, Swindon and Bath – will also continue to provide career advice to students via seminars at universities and law schools, deliver training sessions to banks and corporate occupier clients, and retain close links with the Bristol Law Society, the organisation where he was once president.
Ben said: “The retail and leisure sectors are exciting, fast-evolving and, crucially, closely-linked, with operators continuing to search for ways to provide a more complete customer experience. Management of a property estate and getting the best out of an asset is critical in such a competitive market, and while many operators have a strong online presence, there is still demand for a physical presence and thought needs to be given to how that space is planned and used.
“Healthcare is a sector which, due to the ongoing demands placed upon it, continues to be subjected to significant change and pressure. Having worked extensively with GPs, care home operators, funders and pharmacy businesses, I am looking forward building on Thrings’ great work in this sector in order to develop its reputation and client base.
“Thrings is an ambitious law firm which enjoys a reputation for excellence in the field of commercial property. There is a strong synergy between my experience and ambitions and that of the firm, and I am tremendously excited to have the opportunity to contribute to its growth and future plans.”
Over the past 12 months, Thrings has been involved in a number of significant commercial property transactions for long-term clients, including Matchesfashion.com, Greene King and DS Smith. The firm also provided commercial property advice to Kathryn Sargent, Britain’s first female head cutter, on the recent opening of her first store on the historic Savile Row in London.
Warren Reid, head of commercial property at Thrings, said: “Commercial property is fundamental to Thrings’ business, with the firm committed to investing in its clients and staff. As a result of this, we continue to attract the most experienced and respected legal experts to advise our broad and diverse client base.
“Ben is a high-skilled commercial property specialist, who during the course of his career has consistently demonstrated an ability to understand his sector clients’ requirements, provide considered legal advice and, ultimately, help them expand their property portfolios and increase their profitability.”
