London-based Devonshires will open a new office in Leeds, its first outside of London. The full-service law firm, based in Finsbury Circus, will open a new office in the city in February next year.

It will be led by Chris Drabble, partner and head of the housing finance and property practice at UK firm Addleshaw Goddard.

Sharon Kirkham, partner at Devonshires and head of its securitisation team, said: ‘It’s a really exciting time. We already act for a number of registered providers [of social housing] in the north, but Drabble’s extensive knowledge and experience will create new opportunities for the firm across the region and significantly expand our client base.’

Drabble added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to join a firm which is renowned for its social housing finance work and dominates the sector.

‘Having worked in Leeds for nine years, I’m looking forward to working with Devonshires to develop the firm’s service offering across the region to both funders and RPs.’

The new office will be located in the Park Square area of the city. Devonshires already has a satellite office in Colchester and employs more than 200 people.