Dec 24
Raworths is marking an exceptional year of growth for its Commercial Property team with the promotion of two senior solicitors to both Partner and new leadership roles.
Heather Roberts, who joined Raworths as Legal Director in 2023, has been promoted to Partner and Head of Commercial Property. Heather has more than 25 years’ experience acting for investors, developers, landlords, tenants and banks. Recommended in the Legal 500 – one of the UK’s leading independently researched guides to the legal profession – she offers a breadth of expertise from investment, development and asset management work to advising SME clients on their portfolio purchases and leases.
Since joining Raworths, Heather has been instrumental in the growth of the commercial property team, working across a range of clients including the expanding national retail portfolio of premium kitchen chain, Harvey Jones Home Limited. She also provided specialist legal advice to Broomfield South SILC School – a specialist SEN education provider – working with multiple stakeholders including Leeds City Council, the Children and Families Directorate and the Department for Education, to secure their new premises at the White Rose Business Park which opened in September.
Senior Associate, John Carter, who joined Raworths in 2013, has also been promoted to Partner in recognition of the key role he has played in the team’s significant growth. John has developed trusted relationships with clients as well as his team and the wider firm. He has provided high quality legal advice throughout challenging times in the sector over the last decade.
John regularly advises landlords and tenants on commercial leases and other landlord and tenant matters, as well as acting on complex commercial property deals such as option agreements for large scale residential developments. Key clients include Trustees of the Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, whose portfolio includes the Thorp Arch Estate – a 385-acre commercial and industrial estate in Wetherby. John is also recognised as an “Associate to Watch” in the latest edition of Chambers UK 2025 – a leading legal industry guide.
The promotions will enable the specialist unit, one of the largest dedicated Commercial Property teams in North Yorkshire, to continue to expand in 2025. The team aim to harness opportunities in a range of growth sectors including renewable energies, as well as the Government’s campaign to unlock more privately owned land to accelerate development, as announced in the autumn budget.
Matthew Hill, who heads Commercial Client Services: “This is much-deserved recognition for Heather and John’s valuable contributions to the firm and the roles they have played in cementing our reputation as leading commercial property specialists. Investing in our talent is a key growth strategy here at Raworths; our people are our greatest asset, and their commitment and hard work will always be rewarded at all levels.”
“This marks a new era for the commercial property team, and an exciting opportunity to grow our portfolio in both scale and geographic locations. We will continue to work closely with our wider Commercial and Private Client practice areas – drawing on expertise from our Employment, Trusts, Wills & Estates (TWE) and Corporate & Commercial teams – to continue to provide exceptional legal advice for our clients both regionally and nationally.”
The promotions round off a year of expansion and industry recognition for the firm, which employs more than 70 staff and offers integrated services for both commercial and private clients under one roof.
The promotions are effective from 1 December 2024.
Raworths is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
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