Anchor, England's largest not for profit provider of housing and care for people in later life, has announced the appointment of its new legal services panel of seven firms, following a tender process.
The new panel comprises: Gowling WLG, Capsticks, Devonshires, Freeths, Howes Percival, Trowers & Hamlins and Walker Morris. The panel will run for an initial period of three years and provide full service legal advice.
The Gowling WLG cross-practice group pitch team was led by partner Dominic Morris, with support from partners Jacqueline Knox, Rob Bridgman, Chris Brierley, Michael O'Shea, Ruth Griffin, Jeremy Millington and Martin Chitty, principal associates Vivienne Reeve and Angela Rawlins, and digital legal delivery manager Amy Moore.
Emma Costello, Head of Legal at Anchor, said: "Anchor is committed to partnering with lawyers who not only bring their own specialisms and expertise to the table but also share our core values. We were overwhelmed with the response to our most recent invitation to tender and are delighted to announce that we have secured a new legal services panel with sector-leading advisers, supporting us operationally as well as assisting in the delivery of our progressive growth programme to continue to provide homes where people love living in later life."
Dominic Morris, partner in Gowling WLG's senior living team, said: "Everyone at Gowling WLG is delighted to have secured this appointment to Anchor's legal panel and to work with the other panel firms supporting Anchor as it continues its programme of growth, delivering more and better homes for older people."
Sarah Waite from Capsticks said: "With a team of experts across regeneration, housing management, corporate and commercial, employment, pensions and litigation, we support our clients at every step of the way. Going straight to the core of every matter, we'll provide practical solutions that will help Anchor deliver new, high-quality homes (including specialist retirement and residential care housing) and manage their day-to-day operations for the benefit of residents, employees and the wider community."
Donna McCarthy from Devonshires said: "Care is rapidly moving up the political and social agenda and the pandemic has brought a renewed focus on the critical nature of care services. We look forward to supporting Anchor, working collaboratively with the other panel firms, in supporting them with service delivery and to enable them to provide more care and support to older people."
Sarah Moore, partner in the Freeths Care Team said: "Having supported Anchor on several transactions over the last few years, Freeths are thrilled to have been appointed to the new legal panel and now have the opportunity to broaden and further develop our relationship with Anchor going forward."
Robert Starr from Howes Percival said: "I've had the pleasure of working with Anchor for many years and I'm delighted that Howes Percival has been appointed to their legal panel. Our healthcare team has a particular strength in working with businesses in the care industry and this panel appointment is testament to our expertise in this area. We are excited to build on this and work with the other panel firms to support Anchor in achieving its future goals."
Emma Burrows from Trowers & Hamlins said: "We're delighted to be reappointed to the panel and continue our work for this fantastic client, supporting housing for older people. Anchor focuses on putting people at the heart of everything they do and this aligns with our belief that property can enhance people's lives and build sustainable communities. We look forward to supporting Anchor to meet the needs of older people in care homes, supported housing and integrated retirement communities across England."
Richard Sagar from Walker Morris said: "We are delighted to continue our 16 year long relationship with Anchor. The plans for future growth provide exciting opportunities for us to work with Anchor and with the rest of the panel firms, to deliver quality housing and assistance for older people."
About Anchor
Anchor began nearly 60 years ago and today is England's largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. It provides retirement housing to rent and to buy, retirement villages and residential care homes, including specialist dementia care. In total, Anchor serves more than 65,000 residents in 54,000 homes across almost 1,700 locations. Its residential care services employ the majority of the 9,000-strong workforce, providing services to residents at 114 care homes. Anchor operates in more than 85% of local councils in England. For more information visit Anchor's website.