Overview

Matthew specialises in non-contentious construction and engineering matters, with international experience.  He has advised a wide range of clients including:

  • national governments
  • governmental departments
  • regeneration agencies
  • major banks, funds, and asset management companies
  • PLCs
  • major media broadcasters
  • limited companies, contractors, and developers.

Matthew’s experience includes drafting and negotiating a variety of construction related contracts. From standard form and bespoke building and engineering contracts, framework agreements, forms of professional appointment and pre-construction services agreements, to ancillary documents such as performance security documents, escrow arrangements, and project bank account arrangements.

A specialist in development work, Matthew has also dealt with construction related issues arising in various transactions including:

  • development agreements and agreements for lease
  • development finance agreements
  • sale purchase agreements
  • forward purchasing and forward funding arrangements, and
  • concession agreements.

Matthew has served a secondment within the construction team of an international retailer, enabling him to provide a client-focused perspective to his advice.

Experience
  • Leading on King's College London's £120m multi-phase redevelopment of KCL's Bush House campus on Strand, London.
  • Advising on construction aspects of leasehold arrangements as part of the Competition & Markets Authority HQ relocation project and leading on the CMA’s fit out contracts for its new London HQ at Canary Wharf, including two stage procurement advice and advice relating to public procurement.
  • Leading on construction aspects of SG1, the £350m regeneration of Stevenage Town Centre to create new housing, retail, bars, cafes and restaurants, along with a combined public sector hub for Stevenage Borough Council. 
  • Leading for the developer JV in delivering Redcliff Quarter, in Bristol – the £250m regeneration scheme to deliver PRS blocks, a hotel, and various commercial premises in Bristol City Centre for Change Real Estate.
  • Assisting Hermes Real Estate Investment in relation to the pre-construction services agreement and suite of professional appointments for the enabling works phase of Paradise Circus, a £500m redevelopment and regeneration project in Birmingham.  Leading on the procurement of two c.£30m office premises, comprising Phase 2 of Paradise Circus.
  • Leading on the £250m redevelopment of New Zealand House, London, by construction management procurement for The Crown Estate.
  • Providing strategic construction procurement advice regarding the construction of a new £35m train station and associated mixed-use assets, along with the development of a new science-based business park for Cardiff Parkway.
  • Assisting Rockfire Capital on the construction due diligence aspects of the £500m acquisition of a significant portfolio of 32 solar farms across the UK.
  • Advising BlackRock Investment Management on construction aspects of the Fund's sale and purchase activities including the purchase of a portfolio of industrial estates, a portfolio of garden centres, retail parks, care homes, cinemas, and various commercial premises in London and the rest of the UK.  Leading on the construction of student accommodation properties totalling over 1,900 units across the UK, including at Hope Street, Liverpool; Cavendish Street, Leeds; Regent Street, Plymouth; Denby Street, Sheffield; and Allen House, Leicester.
  • Leading on the £20m redevelopment of the multi-unit shopping centre into a single tenant flagship store for John Lewis, including advising on the construction aspects of the leasehold arrangements with the tenant.

What others say...

Matt is a solid self-starter and shows real commitment. One of his strengths is the ability to quickly review and digest technical information and form a reasoned view. His communication skills are excellent and he is able to communicate difficult messages with empathy, and to build relationships wherever he goes.

Charlotte Leigh, Senior Counsel, Construction – Tesco Stores Limited