Wragge & Co LLP has boosted the capability of its Funds & Financial Services Team with two new associates. HSBC senior legal adviser Karen Brown and KSB Law LLP associate Penny Sanders have joined the team.

William Brewis, head of the funds and financial service practice, said: "Karen and Penny offer specific specialist expertise as well as a strong track record in the financial services sector. Wragge & Co's Funds & Financial Services Team provides excellent technical advice and innovative, commercial solutions. It has a growing reputation and I am pleased to have secured two excellent new associates to enhance our credentials."

Having spent the past 14 years in HSBC's legal team, Karen Brown has considerable retail banking and consumer finance experience. As senior legal adviser she advised on issues including the Consumer Credit Act, credit card, loan and hire agreements, overdrafts, credit advertising and marketing, consumer contracts and unfair terms issues, bank and savings accounts and OFT investigations. For the past three years she has had principal responsibility for advising HSBC's online and telephone banking business, First Direct.

Penny Sanders is a financial services professional experienced in a broad range of matters including FSA regulation and authorisation, investment scheme structures and compliance. She has strong relationships with a number of institutional clients, including C S Healthcare, a friendly society specialising in private sector insurance.

Wragge & Co's Funds and Financial Services Team offers a dedicated service to the financial services sector including advising on funds and other FSA regulated transactions and reorganisations, FSA authorisations and compliance. It also undertakes other regulatory work for financial services businesses, their products and documentation. Highlights include winning an appointment as UK legal adviser to Australian portfolio administration provider Praemium.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 213 2397, Alexa Highfield on +44 (0)121 213 2396 or Amie Ryalls on +44 (0)121 213 2360

This press release may contain information of general interest about current legal issues, but does not give legal advice.