Maples Teesdale Strengthens Partnership with Strategic Land Hire and Corporate Real Estate Promotion

Maples Teesdale is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Stewart as a Partner in its Strategic Land and Development team and the promotion of Eleanor Crawford-Drake to Partner in its Corporate Real Estate team, effective from 1 September.

These appointments reflect the firm's continued investment in exceptional talent and reinforce its commitment to delivering market-leading expertise across the real estate sector. 

Helen Stewart joins Strategic Land and Development team

Helen Stewart joins Maples Teesdale from Birketts, where she was a Partner in the firm's Residential Development team. With more than 19 years' experience advising housebuilders, land promoters and landowners, Helen is widely recognised for her expertise in strategic land and residential-led development projects.

She advises clients on a broad range of complex transactions and arrangements, including promotion agreements, option agreements, conditional sale contracts, overage arrangements and hybrid promotion structures. Helen has particular experience in managing complex multi-landowner projects and negotiating collaboration agreements, as well as supporting development schemes through intricate site set-up arrangements, including management company structures and governance frameworks.

Helen's arrival further strengthens Maples Teesdale's Strategic Land and Development practice, enhancing the firm's ability to support clients through increasingly sophisticated land assembly, promotion and development projects.

Commenting on her appointment, Helen said:

"I am delighted to be joining Maples Teesdale. The firm has an outstanding reputation in the real estate market and a highly respected Strategic Land and Development team. I am excited to work alongside colleagues and clients as we continue to support the delivery of significant development projects across the UK."

Eleanor Crawford-Drake promoted to Partner

Maples Teesdale is also delighted to announce the promotion of Eleanor Crawford-Drake to Partner in its Corporate Real Estate team.

Since joining the firm from Reed Smith in 2018, Eleanor has established herself as a highly respected corporate real estate lawyer, advising investors, developers, occupiers and real estate businesses on a range of complex corporate transactions. Known for her technical expertise, commercial judgement and client-focused approach, she has become a trusted adviser to clients and a valued colleague across the firm.

Over the past eight years, Eleanor has played an important role in the growth of the Corporate Real Estate team while also making a significant contribution to the wider business. Alongside the development of her practice, she has been actively involved in mentoring junior lawyers and supporting the collaborative culture that defines Maples Teesdale.

Commenting on her promotion, Eleanor Crawford-Drake said:

"I am incredibly proud to be joining the partnership at Maples Teesdale. Since joining the firm, I have had the privilege of working with exceptional colleagues and clients, and I am grateful for the support I have received throughout my career. I look forward to continuing to grow my practice and contribute to the firm's future success."

Paul Burke, Managing Partner at Maples Teesdale, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Helen to the firm and equally pleased to announce Ellie's promotion to the partnership.

Helen brings a wealth of experience and a strong reputation in the strategic land market. Her expertise further strengthens our offering to developers, promoters and landowners and represents an important investment in a key growth area for the firm.

Ellie's promotion is a hugely well-deserved achievement. Since joining us in 2018, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical ability, sound commercial judgement and an unwavering commitment to clients. Just as importantly, she has become a trusted colleague, a mentor to our junior lawyers and a genuine leader within the firm.

Both appointments reflect our commitment to investing in outstanding people and ensuring we continue to provide the highest quality advice to our clients across the real estate sector."

These appointments further strengthen Maples Teesdale's position as one of the UK's leading specialist real estate law firms and underline its commitment to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional talent across its practice areas.

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