People: Trowers & Hamlins; Irwin Mitchell; Muse

Trowers & Hamlins has welcomed Natalie Singh to its housing finance team.

Natalie will head up Trowers’ Banking and Finance offering in Birmingham and joins from Anthony Collins, where she led the Affordable Housing Finance team. Her practice focuses on advising affordable housing providers on all aspects of their funding needs and she is independently acknowledged as a market leader. Natalie also has expertise in the fields of debt capital markets, ESG, green and sustainability-linked finance and joint venture and property development finance.

Adrian Carter, Head of Trowers’ Banking and Finance team commented: “We are delighted that Natalie, as one of the sector’s most highly regarded finance lawyers, has decided to join our team and add her extensive experience to our nationally respected practice.”

Sharron Webster, joint Head of Trowers’ Governance and Regulatory team further stated: “We are genuinely excited to have Natalie working alongside us in the delivery of our corporate, governance and regulatory work – what a dream team!

“Affordable housing is part of our firm’s DNA and has been at the heart of our practice for decades. Natalie’s expertise and her commitment to the sector will sit alongside that of our existing market-leading Finance team. We look forward to working with Natalie in continuing to deliver a practical and robust service, focused on our clients’ business needs.”

Natalie added: “I am thrilled to be joining Trowers & Hamlins as a firm which is at the forefront of the affordable housing sector and with the strength in depth to provide a full service offering to its clients. The Banking and Finance team I am joining is one I know is respected by clients and advisers and I am very much looking forward to being part of that team.”

Garon Anthony

The Birmingham office of law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Garon Anthony as a partner in its commercial disputes team.

Moving from Knights, where he was a partner, Garon specialises in advising clients on a wide range of general commercial disputes, including cross border issues, M&A transactions, shareholder claims, and commercial contractual claims. He also advises clients in relation to data breach and cyber liability related issues.

Garon handles financial services disputes within the banking, pensions, and investment sectors. He also represents firms and senior officers who are under investigation by financial services regulators such as the FCA, the PRA, the FRC, and overseas regulatory authorities.

Commenting on his appointment at Irwin Mitchell, Garon said: “Irwin Mitchell has an outstanding reputation in the field of commercial disputes which when coupled with their ambitious growth plans, made this opportunity truly exciting for me.”

Fergal Dowling, Director of Legal Services (Commercial Advisory & Disputes) said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Garon to Irwin Mitchell. His expertise in general commercial disputes, cross-border issues, and financial services disputes within the banking, pensions, and investment sectors will be a valuable asset to our clients. Garon’s appointment reflects our commitment to investing in top talent, and we’re excited to have him on board as we continue to strengthen our position in the market.”

Elliot Sellars

Muse, the nationwide placemaker, has appointed Elliot Sellars as Project Director in the Midlands. Elliot brings more than 20 years’ regeneration experience to Muse, having previously held senior roles at St Modwen Developments and Birmingham City University.

With experience delivering nationally significant regeneration and working in partnership with the public and private sector, Elliot will support the delivery of Muse’s regional pipeline. This includes the £3.2bn Arden Cross regeneration scheme, as well as City Centre West in Wolverhampton, and Mell Square in Solihull.

Elliot’s appointment follows a quartet of new hires in Muse’s Midlands team at the end of 2023, along with a new Birmingham city centre office.

Maggie Grogan, Managing Director at Muse – Midlands, said: “Elliot is an experienced and dedicated regeneration specialist who is set to play a key role supporting our pipeline and regional growth. Elliot understands the region and will help shape an important year for our business, in which we are focussed on delivery alongside our partners.”

Elliot Sellars, Midlands Project Director at Muse, said: “I am delighted to be joining Muse and supporting the business’ growth in the Midlands. Muse has an exciting and ambitious portfolio which will be transformative for the region. I’m looking forward to working with the expert team, to create partnership led place-changing regeneration.”