The Islamic finance team in the Bristol office of national law firm Foot Anstey is celebrating advising on three major deals over the past month.
The transactions include advising Bahrain-based institutional investor Black Sands Real Estate WLL on a £42m corporate acquisition, acting for the London Branch of Riyad Bank on a £17.5m refinance of a fully-let office building, and advising Bank of London and the Middle East (BLME) on its new terms and conditions for Nomo, the first Islamic international digital bank. 
Leading on the corporate acquisition for Black Sand Real Estate was partner Zahir Nayani, legal director Karl Bradford and senior associate Lingxi Wang.
The deal was underpinned by a £42m, 300-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Kington upon Thames and involved a multi-discipline team from across Foot Anstey advising on all elements of the transaction, including investment structuring, real estate and finance. Senior debt on the deal was provided by ADIB UK.
Zahir Nayani also led on the Riyad Bank deal along with associate Kate Amos. The transaction involved a £17.5m refinancing to Capital Trust Group of the 127,000 sq ft Kao One office in Harlow, Essex.
Zahir said: “Both of these transactions signify the enduring appeal to both funders and investors of resilient, well-located real estate assets which demonstrate excellent fundamentals.
“PBSA remains a compelling investment class bolstered by UK demographic trends and sustained international student appetite, whilst office assets let to occupiers with robust covenant strength continue to deliver.” 
Foot Anstey partners Imam Qazi and Anna Parker, along with senior associate Jos Style supported BLME’s need to create new terms and conditions for the launch of Nomo.
The team effectively collaborated with BLME’s other key legal advisors to provide a consistent and on time product to support the launch of Nomo.
Imam Qazi, who is Foot Anstey’s head of Islamic finance, said: “Continuing the team’s upwards trajectory, the past month has been an incredible one for the Islamic finance team.
“We are seeing rising activity in the market and demand for our advisory services. All three of these instructions presented us with a chance to bring together the best of Foot Anstey and achieve the outcome our clients desired.”
Foot Anstey also has offices in Exeter, London, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro. Islamic finance is one of its seven key sectors along with development, energy & infrastructure, private equity, private wealth, retail & consumer.
Pictured: Foot Anstey partners Imam Qazi, left, and Zahir Nayani
