Burness Paull bolsters partner ranks with hire of hotels and student accommodation specialist

Burness Paull has welcomed hotels and student accommodation specialist Roland Smyth as a partner to boost sector growth from within its market-leading real estate team.

Qualified in both Scots and English law, Roland brings considerable experience of commercial real estate and has developed an outstanding reputation for his expertise in hospitality and student accommodation. 

He joins from CMS, where he led their Scottish hotels & leisure team.

His appointment further strengthens Burness Paull’s existing cross-practice sector team, bringing together specialists in real estate, finance, corporate and M&A, employment, tax and technology & commercial who advise on some of the market’s most significant hotels and student accommodation developments, sales and financings.

The firm’s client roster includes Marriott, Virgin Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Motel One, De Vere Hotels, Scotsman Group, Macdonald Hotels, Marathon and STEEP (formerly Chris Stewart Group). 

Peter Chambers, head of real estate at Burness Paull, said: “We have advised alongside Roland on a number of transactions and recognise his excellence as a lawyer, strong commercial focus, and his ability to build enduring client relationships. 

“The hospitality and student accommodations sectors continue to attract significant investment, underlining their importance to the Scottish and UK economy. Roland’s particular expertise in hotel management and franchise agreements across Scotland, England and internationally adds further depth to our already market-leading offering and strengthens our ability to provide coordinated advice to support investors, developers, operators and funders in achieving their ambitions.”

Mark Ellis, managing partner at Burness Paull, said: “Attracting top talent who can provide the high-quality advice our clients expect is key to our growth strategy.

“Roland is a highly regarded legal adviser to the hotels and student accommodation sectors, which we see as areas with real growth potential. Together with colleagues from across the firm, he will be part of a one-team offering that provides clients with seamless, sector specialist advice. We are pleased to welcome him as a partner.”

Roland Smyth added: “The team at Burness Paull have a well-founded reputation for the quality of their advice and are regularly instructed on high-value and complex commercial real estate deals. I was particularly attracted to their hotel and student accommodation offering, which is second to none. It’s an ambitious firm and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues in pursuit of the best outcomes for our clients.”   

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