Bevan Brittan adds further depth to experienced Housing team with five senior hires

Two Partners and a Legal Director are among a high-calibre quintet of senior hires to join Bevan Brittan’s experienced Housing team. The appointments represent a strong start to the year and will enable the specialist team to continue expanding its full range of services across public and private sectors.

Katie Dyer is the latest recruit and joins as a Partner from Trowers and Hamlins in London, where she co-led its national Real Estate Security team. 

Birmingham-based corporate and regulatory Partner Rose Klemperer has arrived from Devonshires, while housing finance expert and Legal Director Yvonne Mao has also joined from Trowers and Hamlins in London.

The highly-regarded Housing team has been further enhanced by the appointment of two Senior Associates and housing management specialists – Ross Lloyd in London and Sarah Orchard, who will split her time between Bristol and London. They will support the continued growth in our housing disrepair and tenancy advice teams.  

Louise Leaver, Partner and joint head of the team, said: “The past year has been tough for housing clients with lots of demands on their resources. But, we have been able to provide support across the board, with governance and finance advice being key as they navigate significant economic, regulatory and ESG challenges.

“The fact we have been able to attract quality and experienced talent like Katie, Rose and Yvonne demonstrates our ever-growing profile in the marketplace. It also highlights that our flexible, hybrid working environment and the investment we make in people’s futures is of increasing interest to those seeking to grow their careers.”  

Katie is a renowned housing finance specialist bringing over two decades of experience in the affordable housing sector.  She has worked on many high-profile and high-value housing finance transactions and has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and influencing the property landscape of housing finance. Katie's expertise includes advising affordable housing funders, For-Profit and Not-for Profit housing associations on all property aspects to secure substantial, often complex, high-value portfolios for secured lending and for portfolio sales and acquisitions.  She has also led on the property finance aspects of many significant mergers and partnerships in the sector. Katie is experienced in providing advice for managing property data, portfolios and on property funding strategies and is excited to be joining our dynamic and growing housing finance practice.

Rose advises RPs and community led housing providers on a wide range of corporate, governance and regulatory matters. She has worked on some of the highest profile mergers in the sector, and is passionate about driving forward governance best practice. Rose is also a Board Member of The Pioneer Group and Women in Social Housing West Midlands.

Yvonne’s significant experience includes acting for both lenders and borrowers. She advises on and carries out due diligence for complex funding transactions, including bank finance, bond issues, private placements, security trust arrangements, innovative lease and lease-back arrangements, development finance and charging into pension schemes.

Regarding the appointment of Lloyd and Orchard, Steve Eccles, Partner and head of housing management, said: “Our growing reputation as one of the leading housing management teams in the country, our commitment to the sector, and our nurturing working environment means we are increasingly able to attract top talent to join us. Ross will bring his expertise and energy to our housing litigation practice, whilst Sarah joins to lead and develop our non-contentious housing management practice. We’re delighted to have them both on board.”

This latest positive news for Bevan Brittan comes after a successful 2023 in which it enjoyed its tenth consecutive year of growth, with revenue reaching £67.3m.