With 18 years’ post-qualified experience, Natalie has joined the firm from Trowers & Hamlins, where she headed up its Birmingham real estate finance security team.

Natalie said: “I am thrilled to have joined Shakespeare Martineau at such an exciting time. The firm has an excellent reputation for its work in the social housing sector, and is growing and evolving to ensure it offers something different from competitors in this space.

“I am looking forward to building and growing the securitisation team to bolster Shakespeare Martineau’s existing social housing team with finance security expertise, so we can deliver a full-service offering to registered providers – giving them a credible alternative to the usual suspects.”

Natalie will primarily be based at the firm’s Birmingham office hub but will be working with clients nationally. Her appointment is the latest in a string of new partner hires – including experienced finance solicitor Jon Coane – as part of the firm’s growth strategy, broadening its footprint both north and south.

Louise Drew, head of the building communities team at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are delighted to welcome Natalie to the firm. She has excellent, market-leading expertise and her knowledge will be a real asset to our social housing clients, who she will assist with raising finance to ultimately build more homes, and improve and maintain their existing stock. Given the current strain on finances in the sector, this appointment couldn’t come at a better time for us and our clients.”

Shakespeare Martineau is proactively seeking talented people to join the firm on its growth journey, including mergers, team recruitment and lateral hires nationally.