Derwent London Sells Francis House for £55.5m

Deal News | Jul 30, 2025 | Charles Russell Speechlys

Derwent London Sells Francis House for £55.5m

Charles Russell Speechlys provided legal advice to Derwent London on the successful disposal of Francis House SW1 for £55.5 million. Derwent London plc, the largest office-focused real estate investment trust in London, holds a diverse property portfolio valued at £5 billion. This recent transaction extends their longstanding professional relationship, with the law firm having offered support on a variety of issues over the past two decades. Charles Russell Speechlys' handling of the transaction showcased its cross-departmental cooperation, involving teams from their Real Estate, Construction, Commercial, and Tax departments. Key personnel in this project included Mark White, along with a specialized team comprising Lynsey Inglis, Pippa Clifford, and Rebecca Wright. Jonathan Theobald, Derwent's Head of Investment Analytics, praised the firm's guidance, emphasizing the seamless, expert service provided during the transaction. Mark White, Real Estate Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, expressed satisfaction in helping Derwent London achieve its strategic objectives.

Sectors

  • Real Estate
  • Legal Services

Geography

  • United Kingdom – Derwent London and Charles Russell Speechlys, as well as the transaction, are both located in the UK.

Industry

  • Real Estate – The article primarily involves a transaction related to commercial real estate, specifically the sale of a property within Derwent London’s portfolio.
  • Legal Services – The article discusses legal advisory services provided by Charles Russell Speechlys in facilitating the real estate transaction.

Financials

  • £55.5 million – The headline price for the sale of Francis House.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
Derwent London plcTarget CompanyCompanyA major office-focused real estate investment trust in London, owning a significant commercial real estate portfolio.
Charles Russell SpeechlysLegal AdvisorCompanyA law firm that has provided long-term legal services to Derwent London, advising on the sale of Francis House.
Mark WhiteReal Estate PartnerPersonLed the legal advisory team for the Francis House disposal.
Jonathan TheobaldHead of Investment AnalyticsPersonProvided comments on behalf of Derwent London, highlighting the value of Charles Russell Speechlys' assistance.