Flint Bishop appoints experienced real estate partner as Sheffield hiring spree continues
Flint Bishop has bolstered its growing Real Estate practice in Sheffield with the appointment of Alaric Birch as partner, bringing more than 40 years’ property expertise to its growing team in the city.
Birch joins the firm’s Real Estate team with extensive experience advising investors, developers, corporate organisations and high-net-worth individuals across commercial real estate and residential property transactions.
His practice spans investment and development work, landlord and tenant matters, property finance, promotion and overage agreements, option agreements and asset management. He also has specialist expertise in unregistered land and contractual construction documentation, including JCT-based and bespoke agreements.
During his career, Birch has advised on several significant property and development projects, including multi-million-pound construction developments at the Advanced Manufacturing Park involving McLaren Automotive and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
He also has considerable experience supporting corporate transactions and restructurings from a real estate perspective, alongside advising on complex development arrangements, acquisitions, refinancing and development funding.
The appointment sees Birch reunite with Richard Smith, partner and head of Real Estate (North) at Flint Bishop, with the pair having previously worked together for several years at Knights.
Commenting on his appointment, Birch said: “I am delighted to be joining Flint Bishop at an exciting point in the growth of both the Real Estate team and the firm’s presence in Sheffield. The firm has clear ambitions for the region and a strong commitment to building a high-quality, full-service offering for clients.
“Having worked with Richard previously for a number of years, I know we share the same focus on providing pragmatic, commercially driven advice. I am looking forward to working with him again, reconnecting with familiar colleagues and contributing my experience to the continued development of the team.”
Richard Smith, partner and head of Real Estate (North) at Flint Bishop, added: “Al is an outstanding addition to our Real Estate team and someone whose capabilities I know extremely well from our time working together at Knights.
“His depth of experience across investment, development, property finance and complex real estate transactions will add significant senior capability to the team. Just as importantly, Al understands what clients need from their legal advisers and brings a highly commercial and pragmatic approach to his work.
“His arrival is another important step in our plans to build a leading Real Estate practice in Sheffield and across the North, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside him again.”
Birch’s appointment forms part of Flint Bishop’s continued investment in its Sheffield office as the firm expands its senior capability and develops a broader full-service offering for businesses and individuals across the region.