Shakespeare Martineau has expanded its Milton Keynes office with a series of key appointments, underlining the firm’s national growth ambitions and commitment to the South East.
Six new recruits have joined across multiple disciplines, including two senior partners: Brian West and Susannah Lloyd. They are joined by residential conveyancing associate Carrie Sutton, commercial property solicitor Edward Moffat, restructuring and insolvency solicitor Imran Ilias, and paralegal Sonia Williams-Gwaga.
The arrivals build on the firm’s drive to enhance its full-service offering in high-growth sectors such as real estate finance, residential development and corporate restructuring.
Brian West, who joins from Shoosmiths where he was partner and head of office, brings more than a decade of experience advising national housebuilders, land promoters and later living providers. His expertise spans the full lifecycle of residential development projects, from strategic land acquisition to complex consortium structures.
He said: “Shakespeare Martineau has a clear ambition to lead in housebuilding and strategic land, and that is something I am passionate about driving forward. There is a great culture and energy here and I look forward to contributing to the next phase of growth. Residential development is as much about people as it is about land, and I am proud to join a team that understands that balance.”
Susannah Lloyd, formerly chief legal officer at London Wall Group and with senior roles at EMW, Ronaldsons and Shoosmiths, brings expertise in real estate finance, luxury assets and family offices. She said: “What attracted me to Shakespeare Martineau is the strength of the team already in place. Having worked with many of my new colleagues before, I knew this was a natural and collaborative fit. I am excited to build a new real estate finance and family office team with a distinctive focus on private and family office clients.”
Carrie Sutton returns to the firm after three years at Swiitch, Shoosmiths’ conveyancing services arm, bringing extensive experience across residential transactions including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, shared ownership, remortgages and new build schemes.
Edward Moffat joins with a broad practice in commercial and residential property, advising on development land, asset management and property finance, as well as supporting corporate transactions.
Imran Ilias, a specialist in restructuring and insolvency, has advised on a range of recovery and insolvency matters for clients from private individuals to FTSE 100 companies and remains active in the legal community through his work with the Junior Lawyers Division.
Sonia Williams-Gwaga strengthens the growing real estate team, supporting the firm’s capacity to meet rising client demand.
Jordan Glackin, head of the Milton Keynes office, said: “This is an important moment for our Milton Keynes team. The arrival of such a talented group of lawyers is a significant step forward in our mission to offer truly full-service, expert-led support to clients in the region and nationally. These appointments deepen our expertise in real estate, conveyancing and restructuring, all of which are central to our growth.”
