National law firm Mills & Reeve is strengthening its presence in Yorkshire.
- Nick Bell appointed as partner to lead the new banking and finance team in Leeds.
- Bell’s extensive experience includes roles at Squire Patton Boggs and National Westminster Bank.
- He is recognised for his expertise in various finance areas and team leadership.
- Bell’s appointment is part of Mills & Reeve’s strategic expansion in the North.
National law firm Mills & Reeve has taken a significant step in enhancing its Yorkshire operations by appointing Nick Bell as a partner at its Leeds office. This appointment marks the formation of a new banking and finance team within the city.
Nick Bell brings over two decades of experience to his new role at Mills & Reeve, having served as a partner at Squire Patton Boggs in the financial services group. His career also includes an important tenure as director and head of the transaction management team at National Westminster Bank, providing him with a robust foundation in the banking sector.
Bell’s expertise is evident through his extensive involvement in leveraged and acquisition finance, as well as cross-border corporate transactions, project finance, and real estate finance. His reputation as one of Yorkshire’s leading banking and finance lawyers is underscored by his ranking as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 and being named among Yorkshire’s Top 10 Powerhouse Banking & Finance Lawyers in 2023.
Paul Johnson, head of the Leeds office, emphasised the strategic importance of Bell’s arrival, noting that having such a skilled banking lawyer is a pivotal move for the firm’s ambitious expansion plans in the Yorkshire region. This appointment aims to bolster the firm’s relationships with lenders and enhance their corporate and commercial service offerings.
William Roles, head of the national finance and restructuring practice at Mills & Reeve, expressed that Bell’s strong reputation and skill set would significantly support the growth objectives of the firm’s existing practice, marking him as a key addition to their team in Leeds. This strategic hire follows the recent inclusion of asset-based lending partner Simon Prendergast in Manchester.
Nick Bell himself expressed his enthusiasm about joining Mills & Reeve, highlighting the exciting prospects of helping build the banking and finance practice in Leeds and beyond. Bell aims to work closely with his new colleagues to further the firm’s expansion goals.
This appointment is a strategic move for Mills & Reeve to strengthen their presence in Yorkshire’s competitive legal market.
