Wragge & Co LLP has boosted its banking & finance practice with the appointment of Mark McKee as a director. As a specialist in asset and receivables finance and asset based lending, Mark will strengthen the team's asset finance capability.

Paula Laird, head of the Asset Finance team, said: "Mark's experience working in-house for financial institutions is the perfect complement to this team's pragmatic and client-orientated approach. With specialist knowledge and an extensive track record in asset finance work, Mark is a valuable addition to the team's technical expertise."

Mark joins from global financial services company GMAC Commercial Finance Limited, where he was head of legal. He brings significant experience in cross-border and domestic high-value asset and receivables finance securitisation. 

Notable examples include a German banking licence application, leading a £700 million book debt securitisation, the establishment of several large multi-jurisdictional vendor sales aid programs, and undertaking a diligence project on a large leasing business acquisition. Additional expertise includes factoring, invoice discounting and syndicated lending. Prior to joining GMAC Commercial Finance, Mark was head of legal for CIT Speciality Finance Division (UK).

Mark said: "Wragge & Co's finance practice has a distinctive reputation in this competitive market. Under the stewardship of partner Paula Laird, it has forged strong relationships with leading financial institutions on the strength of its asset finance  and asset based lending capability. I look forward to working with the team to grow its reputation for high-quality and complex asset based lending work."

Wragge & Co has further expanded its finance capability with the appointment of a new partner. Kieron Dwyer is a structured finance lawyer with a particular focus on project finance work. 

The firm's Banking & Finance team handles UK and cross-border mid-market acquisition, debt and leveraged finance deals for lenders and borrowers. Its 19 lawyers combine a unique blend of technical expertise with market knowledge and understanding of what clients need.

With three partners dedicated to asset finance and asset based lending work, the team covers all elements of asset based finance, including invoice and receivables finance, securitisation, equipment finance, syndicated facilities and both domestic and cross-border transactions. 

Significant work in the last 12 months includes advising Lloyds TSB Bank plc and GE Commercial Finance on public-to-private transactions. The team also advised KBC Business Capital on asset-backed acquisitions including its £31 million financing of Burn Stewart Distillers Limited. Other experience includes handling a £250 million pan-European asset based acquisition and working capital facility.

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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 Matthew Purcell 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.