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Agricultural Finance

We bring a wealth of experience of the lending landscape in the agriculture sector to every transaction, helping to grow businesses and maximise the value of rural assets.

Key contact

One of our agriculture team talking to a client on their land

Matthew Hayes

As a Partner in our Agriculture and Estates Team, much of my work revolves around property and I act for a variety of clients, ranging from private individuals, developers and lenders to property holding companies, farming businesses and pension trusts. I’m very experienced in dealing with rural and agricultural land and buildings in particular and many of my clients are repeat customers. I’m proud of this, and I work hard to put myself in your shoes.

Facilitating agricultural finance and funding

We help banks, lending institutions and investors safely lend money and take security over agricultural land and assets. 

We help farmers and trustees raise funds using land and other assets as security for borrowing. Our work helps take a business forward, helping to restructure debt, raise working capital, restructure a business and secure acquisitions

Our expertise has helped clients with funding and security arrangements for:

  • Renewable projects, such as solar wind and anaerobic digesters, biomass boilers and battery storage
  • Natural capital projects such as biodiversity net gain and carbon credits.

We can also advise on and enforcing agricultural charges.

Expertise and experience you can trust

Our role is always to help you secure the robust and reasonable agreement you need. To achieve this, our services include:

  • Conducting debt and security reviews
  • Carrying out security amendments and rationalisation exercises
  • Ensuring clients are compliant in their lending arrangements.

We’re efficient and commercial in our way of working because we understand the realities of tight transactional deadlines in this area.

We can also call on the expertise of our colleagues across the business in our Corporate, Banking and Finance and Real Estate teams if required to complete a deal. 

Complex lender and borrower agreement navigated thanks to real estate expertise

Matthew Hayes, Partner in the Agriculture and Estates team, and Abbi Melrose, Solicitor in the Real Estate team, recently helped both a lender and a borrower in a complex case.

The owner of a large rural estate which comprised of a business park, country house, abbey and holiday cottages was looking to refinance with a new lender as well as upgrade various parts of the estate. Seeking advice and expertise, he turned to Matthew and Abbi.

The borrower said: “I am breathing again now! What a journey – nine months but finally birthed the deal. Thank you for believing in us and our goals. Thanks particularly to Abbi for bearing with all the nuances of it.”

The lender said: “Thanks everyone for your patience, help and support. I’m pleased we have finally got there – you can safely pop that cork now.”

Hear what our clients say about us

The team is proactive, rather than reactive. Has a fantastic support network to accommodate any specialisms needed across the team, collaborating with difficult/complicated matters, meaning you are always getting the right, and best advice.

They provide seamless cover for any out of office requirements and their communication skills are exemplary, meaning you always know where you are with a transactions/job.

Agriculture and Estates – Legal 500 2024

HCR Hewitsons have been a longstanding partner of our organisation and supporting land acquisitions, disputes and projects of national significance for a number of years.

The firm are able to drill down to the necessary detail of a case quickly and effectively.

Agriculture and Estates – Legal 500 2024

Recognition of our work

Investors in People

Investors in People

Recommended for Quality

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