Wragge & Co LLP has appointed Sharon Ayres as a partner in the Corporate group. She will play a central role in the growth of its specialist funds practice with a focus on clients in the real estate markets.

Andrew Harrison said: "Sharon is an effective, hands-on and sales-focused lawyer. Her ability to forge strong relationships with clients, combined with keen commercial acumen and smart technical ability, makes her an ideal candidate for growing this practice area's reputation in the UK. She will continue to work closely with the firm's Real Estate group to maximise the potential for growth."

Sharon is an experienced adviser, having spent more than 12 years advising on international projects and working with funders and developers focused on the real estate markets in the UK and Central Europe. With significant expertise in establishing complex, cross-border investment vehicles, she advised Parkridge Group on a trio of cross-border deals totalling $1.03 billion and its first overseas real estate fund. Other long-standing clients include GPT Halverton, Buccleuch and GHP Group.

Sharon said: "Real estate continues to be fertile ground for investment. This is particularly true for internationally-based funds. We have a tremendous specialist funds practice with some strong relationships with leading developers and investors in the UK. There is a real opportunity to now take this practice forward."

Wragge & Co's Corporate Group has a strong reputation for corporate finance and real estate deals. With more than 70 lawyers, it specialises in mid-market work for clients ranging from global brands to private companies. Expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, private equity, IPOs, joint ventures, public takeovers, share schemes, complex corporate structuring and tax. The Group's highlight deals include acting for Helios Properties on a €1 billion property deal, as well as Peabody Fund's sale of Cutlers Gardens Estate for over £400 million. M&A highlights include first deals for Carron Energy and Northgate Information Solutions.

Sharon joins 17 partners in the Corporate Group. She is one of nine partners promoted in 2008 in the key practice areas of corporate, real estate, IP, construction, human resources and finance litigation.

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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

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