Catherine Brennan joins from ALD Automotive
The expansion of Blackfinch Group’s in-house legal team continues with Catherine Brennan joining as Senior Legal Counsel. Catherine joins after spending over five years as Senior Legal Counsel at ALD Automotive Limited (part of Société Générale). Catherine has significant experience gained in both private practice (real estate and project finance) and in-house legal experience specialising in finance and commercial general counsel.
Catherine’s appointment brings the capacity of Blackfinch’s Legal team – which provides legal services to the whole of the Blackfinch Group – to seven. The team now includes a specialist finance lawyer, a property lawyer and a construction lawyer. Catherine’s role will primarily focus on working with the Blackfinch Property team, while also providing legal support and counsel across the Blackfinch Group. Catherine’s appointment follows the recent hires of Jemma Regan-Cummins as Legal Counsel from YTL Group and Laith Bader, who joined Blackfinch as a Paralegal from Walker Morris.
Catherine has held Senior Counsel roles for close to a decade at ALD Automotive and Simply Health Group. She also gained four years’ experience as a solicitor specialising in real estate finance and property support on corporate/banking transactions. Catherine has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Birmingham and a Legal Practice Course (LPC) qualification from the University of West England. Catherine is also a trustee of the Baby Bank Network, a Bristol-based charity.
Hamish Masson, Head of Legal at Blackfinch, said: “Catherine is a highly experienced Senior Legal Counsel with a great track record gained in the financial services industry. She brings to Blackfinch considerable expertise in banking, real estate finance, corporate governance and general commercial law. We believe this makes Catherine a great fit for Blackfinch Group, and her appointment demonstrates how we are matching our growth ambitions with exceptional people.”
David Higson, Investment Director at Blackfinch Property, said: “Our in-house legal team has earned plaudits with commercial property developers, and helped establish Blackfinch Property’s reputation as a lender that stands out, by going that extra mile to ensure deals reach completion. With this in mind, we’re looking forward to working closely with Catherine on a range of exciting projects here at Blackfinch Property.”
Commenting on her new role, Catherine added: “The dynamic, fast-paced and entrepreneurial culture at Blackfinch was a massive attraction. I’m excited to be joining during such a period of exceptional growth and with the opportunity of developing Blackfinch Property’s finance offering. I hope my combination of in-house financial services experience and property and project financing from private practice will be a welcome addition.”
