A multi-disciplinary team at Bristol-headquartered national law firm Bevan Brittan has worked on a merger to create one of the biggest housing association groups in England and Wales.
The 20-plus strong team of experts provided advice across a range of legal issues over a nine-month period after being instructed in June last year. 
The merger between Peabody and Catalyst has created a combined organisation responsible for 104,000 homes and housing for around 220,000 residents across London, Kent, Sussex and the Home Counties.
Community investment by the merged group, under which Catalyst has become a subsidiary of the Peabody Group, is also expected to increase to £11m.
The Bevan Brittan team was led by partner Sarah Greenhalgh and included a number of colleagues including its head of housing Louise Leaver, who advised Catalyst on its role in a bond raise by Peabody, as well as HR and employment partner Sarah Lamont and pensions partner Nigel Bolton. 
Sarah, pictured, said the deal would enable both organisations to deliver their vision of having more locally based teams to ensure close connections with residents.
“This has been a real team effort to ensure both organisations were able to complete this exciting merger,” she said.
“Both Peabody and Catalyst have similar opportunities and challenges and this will enable the new organisations to move forward stronger together.
“Both have a commitment to being more closely connected with their local communities as well as investing for the future both in terms of modernising their estate, new homes and in meeting their combined net zero ambitions.
Louise Leaver added: “Bevan Brittan is delighted to have been able to support Peabody and Catalyst in bringing this deal to fruition.
“The project team excellently led by Sarah, brought together skills from right across our housing practice and we’ll continue working with both parties to advise them on the post-merger integration.”
Bevan Brittan employs nearly 300 people in Bristol and also has offices in London, Leeds and Birmingham.
