By: 28 October 2024
Mills & Reeve appoints partner to lead Leeds team 

Nick Bell will lead the banking and finance team in Mills & Reeve’s Yorkshire hub 

National law firm Mills & Reeve has expanded its Leeds office with the appointment of Nick Bell as partner. He will lead the firm’s newly launched banking and finance team in the city. 

Nick, who brings with him over 20 years of experience, joins Mills & Reeve from Squire Patton Boggs, where he was a partner in the financial services group. He previously held the role of director and head of the transaction management team at National Westminster Bank. 

Nick’s expertise spans leveraged and acquisition finance, cross-border corporate transactions, project finance, and real estate finance. Ranked as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 and named one of Yorkshire’s Top 10 Powerhouse Banking & Finance Lawyers in 2023, Nick has a strong track record in building high-performing teams, having established two notable banking practices previously. 

Paul Johnson, head of the Leeds office at Mills & Reeve, highlighted the strategic value of Nick’s appointment:  

“Having a banking lawyer of Nick’s calibre in the Leeds office is a significant step forward in our ambitious expansion strategy and reinforces our commitment to the city and wider Yorkshire region. Nick’s role will open new relationships with lenders and enable our corporate, commercial, and real estate teams to offer a comprehensive service to our clients.” 

William Roles, head of the Mills & Reeve national finance and restructuring practice, added, “Nick’s strong reputation and skills will greatly assist the growth plans of our existing practice. Nick is our first finance partner hire into the Mills & Reeve Leeds office, and his appointment will contribute significantly to our longer-term strategic aim of being recognised as the leading national finance practice.” 

Nick will collaborate closely with the firm’s corporate, commercial, and real estate teams, strengthening the firm’s capacity to provide a one-stop service to corporate clients. This expansion follows the recent hiring of asset-based lending partner Simon Prendergast in Manchester. 

Nick commented, “I’m thrilled to have joined Mills & Reeve. I’m looking forward to helping the firm grow and build its banking and finance practice in Leeds, across the North, and nationally.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the firm with its ambitious expansion strategy and growth plans, and I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues and clients to help achieve those goals.” 

Image: Mills & Reeve
Josie Miller
Josie Miller is Editor of Yorkshire Legal News. She welcomes comments and questions.