Shammah Nicholls appoints banking industry heavyweight
Manchester law firm, Shammah Nicholls, has appointed a banking industry heavyweight to boost its expanding team.
Chris Rainer, who will join the firm as practice director, is a well respected banker and brings more than two decades of banking and managerial experience to Shammah Nicholls.
Between 1986 and 1997, Rainer served as risk director at UCB Group plc, which was acquired by the BNP Paribas Group in 1986. At its peak, UCB had a commercial mortgage book of circa £975 million and was the main UK property lending arm of BNP. During this period, Rainer's role evolved from credit manager to divisional director and eventually to UCB main board director.
In 1997, Rainer was appointed as managing director of UCB Group Limited. His main focus was the recovery and management of circa £400 million of predominantly commercial mortgage assets. This follows two separate disposals of performing loan books with a value of £600 million to Credit Suisse and Birmingham Midshires.
Rainer commented: "I'm relishing the opportunity to work with Shammah Nicholls' highly experienced management team to further enhance the firm's reputation for providing quality legal services. We're looking to capitalise on significant growth opportunities and to continue to add real value for our clients."
He added: "The partner-led service at Shammah Nicholls ensures that we build strong and lasting relationships with our clients. This is achieved through a common sense approach adopted by all our lawyers, as well by providing practical advice based on a commercial understanding of our clients' goals and ambitions."
Mark Dennis, senior partner at Shammah Nicholls, added: "Chris is a significant addition to the Shammah Nicholls team. Having worked with him for more than 10 years as a client of mine at UCB, I know that he has a proven track record in the banking industry. Chris possesses the right combination of expertise and management experience to add considerable weight to our offering.
"With his innovative approach, Chris has what it takes to further enhance Shammah Nicholls' status and reputation in Manchester. His sound financial expertise will allow the partners to concentrate on practicing law, while he ensures the firm is run in a sound, prudent and sensible way."
Media contact: Jane Carroll or Jessica Wilkinson
Tel: 0161 941 4252