Matthew Williams

My decision to practice as a commercial real estate lawyer was made early on in my seat as a commercial property (as we called it back then…) trainee. I was drawn to the mix of commercial and strategic advice, law, tangible assets and the sector. As a junior lawyer looking for new challenges I was attracted to Fladgate’s reputation in commercial property. That was 16 years ago!

I see a real importance in building personal relationships with the people I work with and I believe that clients value this. I strive to understand the ‘bigger picture’ for the client’s business; this can be the commercial rationale for a transaction or the strategic importance of advisory work. I often fulfil a trusted advisor role to clients acting as an extension of their team or their “de facto” in-house counsel.

So, what do I do when I’m not working? I run (slowly and not particularly far) and enjoy cooking, music, food and laughter (often at the expense of my cooking). I am a father of three and we have recently added a puppy into the mix. I support a North London football team (I’m not saying which one) and follow the Bedford Blues rugby team.

• Providing development advice in relation to and then acting on the sale of two brownfield sites on the banks of the River Thames with potential for development as a riverside-led residential scheme forming part of the Charlton Riverside masterplan. The total consideration was c. £48m.
• Acting for Downing Corporate Finance managed funds on the sale of a hotel development in central Birmingham. The 186 bedroom Royal Angus Hotel was part way through a redevelopment at the point of sale and formed part of a larger existing building.
• Leading the team advising on the development and forward letting of a hospital facility in central London. This was a complex transaction entailing negotiation with the NHS during the height of the COVID pandemic. Add into the mix the complexity of ensuring the strength of the NHS covenant will be attractive to institutional investors on completion with a 35 year lease this is worth tens of millions in rent.