Spotlight on… Hannah Oseland

This month we shine the spotlight on Hannah Oseland, Partner in the Banking and Finance team

What type of legal advice do you provide?

I deal with finance documents, including loan agreements, security documents and intercreditor deeds. I advise a variety of banks and financial institutions, corporate lenders and borrowers and high-net-worth individuals on all aspects of secured and unsecured lending, in particular real estate finance, including agriculture, along with acquisition finance and asset and trade finance.

Why did you choose your specialism?

Finance is the lifeblood of business and I enjoy the challenge of finding the right solution for each client, whatever stage of their business lifecycle they have reached. From an injection of capital, through to a review of security to protecting a lender or restructuring a company in tough times, I always focus on helping clients to achieve their goals; I enjoy the variety of work and range of personalities I encounter along the way.

What type of work does your team do that is relevant to Homes England? Or have you been involved in any Homes England projects?

With my recoveries background I have been brought in to assist on reservation of rights letters and variation deeds. Most recently I’ve been instructed in respect of releases of security. I would like to get more involved in the investment side in respect of preparing, negotiating and finalising finance documents for Homes England.

What was your most memorable outcome for a client, and why?

I always go all-out to ensure delivery of service in a timely manner and at a high quality so it is difficult to pinpoint one particular outcome that was most memorable. Most of my work have quick turnarounds so I suppose the most memorable ones are those where the client needs additional support and guidance, often when a relationship director is new to the lender company, and I can guide them through their internal processes and anticipate any potential delays.

How have you supported your local community?

• I coach the Redditch Netball Club, which has circa 60 members with an age range of 14 to 45
• I have hosted two quiz nights for Brain Tumour Research, which although not directly supporting our local community is a charity close to the hearts of the village following the death of a primary school student
• Me and my family eat at our local charity café, the Lounge, which is owned and run by ACT (Alvechurch Communities Together), a registered charity set up to support the communities of Alvechurch and surrounding areas, and take part in their fundraising ventures
• I take part in our office Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives
• I was a member of a Parents Prom committee organising a ball to raise money for a NEST – a nurture area at the local primary school.
• I volunteer at my village cricket club to raise much needed funds to support the junior squad.

Why do you think a commitment to helping the planet is important? Can you give any examples where you have made a change to help the planet?

As a mother of two young children it is particularly important to me that we need to protect the planet for future generations, in addition to protecting our health and the other inhabitants of planet earth. Education on this front is certainly improving and my children are teaching me how we can do better. At home we have separate recycling bins in most rooms. We walk or get public transport where possible. We buy second hand items when available and do our best to reduce waste and upcycle along with turning off lights and plug sockets when not in use. HCR has recently initiated an electric vehicle opportunity and so this is the next big initiative for me and my family.