Freeths welcomes new real estate partner as new head named in Manchester

Freeths Manchester has recruited real estate partner Stephen Crook from Knights as the firm names Stephen Lewis as the region’s new head of the service line. 

Stephen Crook has over 25 years’ experience of supporting clients in a wide range of commercial real estate and development matters with a particular focus in portfolio management across a variety of sectors including retail, hospitality and leisure as well as the public sector. Stephen’s clients include national retailers and leisure operators, developers, property investors, local authorities and higher education institutions.  

Stephen has supported national retailer Schuh for over 15 years during which time their retail portfolio has expanded to over 130 stores. His work in the leisure sector also includes a number of high-profile leisure venues in the North West including the Albert Schloss and Diecast.

His appointment comes as Freeths has named Stephen Lewis as the new Head of Real Estate in Manchester.

With the team recently crowned Law Firm of the Year at the Business Insider Residential Property Awards, Stephen takes the mantle from partner Ian Tempest who launched the practice around 15 years ago. Ian will continue to help Stephen lead the team, working with key clients across the region.

Stephen Lewis said: “Having been with the firm now for 10 years helping Ian build the team I am delighted to be taking on this role and continue to drive forward Freeths Real Estate presence here in Manchester and the wider market. We have ambitions to scale our Real Estate practice in the years to come and sustain the impressive growth of the firm with turnover having trebled in the last dozen years to just north of £160m.

“With Stephen joining our team at such a crucial time, he is set to be a true asset to Freeths, and I am confident he will further strengthen our capabilities and bring with him a fresh offering for the region. With the many years of diverse experience in the field, we are looking forward to the significant contributions we know he will bring to the firm and for clients.”

Stephen Crook added: “I am thrilled to begin this new chapter as Partner at Freeths. With the team continuing to go from strength to strength, I look forward to helping to build upon that success.”