Helen Emmerson Partner


Speaks:  English

Qualified: 2001 - Solicitor of England & Wales


Primary office:  Birmingham




Helen Emmerson

Helen Emmerson is a partner specialising in helping corporate clients in a range of sectors with their real estate needs.

Helen has a large focus on working with clients who are developing and investing in energy generation facilities, crossing a range of technologies. She has extensive experience in the acquisition of the necessary land rights and grid connection requirements, as swiftly and efficiently as possible, whilst always being mindful of the funding and investment perspective which sits alongside these developments, together with the regulatory challenges of the sector.

In addition, Helen supports key corporate occupier and retail clients, on the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties. Helen's understanding of the key business drivers for both landlords and tenants, together with her experience in a wide range of asset management work, means she understands how to maximise the value of real estate holdings. Helen also has considerable experience in managing a number of fast paced acquisition and disposal programmes.

Helen is known for identifying issues early and proposes resolutions that strike an equitable balance between the various stakeholders, avoiding unnecessary and costly negotiation. She is often commended for her sensible approach and client friendly manner. Helen has worked with many of her clients to develop streamlined precedents and working methodologies, providing a robust platform for taking their business forwards.

Clients

Her clients include Coca Cola, Cornerstone Telecommunications, Eelpower, Energy Systems Catapult, GKN, GW Pharma, Infinis Energy, Kew Technology, Lidl, London Legacy Development Corporation, Midcounties Co-Operative, TfL and Upfield.

Experience

Advised UK energy storage developer, owner and operator Eelpower on securing a multi-asset agreement with Swiss sustainable energy infrastructure fund manager SUSI Partners to construct and operate a pipeline of new build battery storage assets, which will make a significant contribution to meeting the UK's demand for energy storage. Construction of a new 50MW battery storage project began in February 2021 at Dunsinane, near Dundee, Scotland.

Worked as part of the cross sector team, advising St. Modwen on the sale of its 1,050-acre Baglan Bay photovoltaic park (the largest of its kind situated on a brownfield site in Wales) to Innova Energy.

Provided real estate advice to investment bank Berenberg as global coordinator and bookrunner on Harmony Energy Income Trust's £210 million IPO on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange and the acquisition of five battery projects with a 213.5MW capacity.

Advised TfL on the real estate aspects of the trial of rental e-scooters in a core group of London boroughs, Canary Wharf and City of London.

Leads on the real estate acquisition and estate management work for Midcounties Co-Operative diverse retail and childcare focussed portfolio.

Advised on lettings for offices, laboratories, manufacturing and state of the art research sites at Kent Science Park, which provides several facilities including the 'garden of England' greenhouse biopharma.

Advises Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, the UK's leading mobile infrastructure services company on the management and growth of its network of over 12,000 landlord partnerships by securing Electronic Communications Code agreements and leases pursuant to the new Electronic Communications Code and Cornerstone's Code powers.

Advised London Legacy Development Corporation on the estate management issues relating to 'ABBA Voyage' – the revolutionary concert showing the Swedish band members performing digitally with a live 10-piece band, in the purpose-built arena on the park.

Career & Recognition

Filter timeline:
  • 2016

    • Career
       2016
      Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, partner
  • 2015

    • Career
       2015
      Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co LLP, partner
  • 2010

    • Career
       2010
      Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, director
  • 2001

    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       2001
      Qualified, Solicitor of England & Wales
  • 1999

    • Career
       1999
      Wragge & Co LLP
  • 1998

    • Education
       1998
      Nottingham Law School Legal Practice Course
  • 1995

    • Education
       1995
      Birmingham University LL.B