Orbit Group appoints law firm to panel of advisors

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has been appointed to the panel of legal advisors at Orbit Group, a leading group of national housing associations.

One of ten firms appointed to the panel, Shakespeare Martineau will be working with Orbit Group for the next three years, providing full legal advice services including, development, sales, commercial, and governance. 

Founded in 1967, Orbit is one of the leading providers of affordable housing to buy and rent, managing a portfolio of 42,000 properties and serving over 100,000 people across the Midlands, the East and South East. 

Under the umbrella of Orbit Group is Orbit Homes - a development subsidiary - Orbit South, and Heart of England, which owns and manages properties in the South East, East Anglia, and throughout the Midlands.

Orbit Group looks to deliver 20,000 new properties

As well as the management of existing properties, Orbit also has a significant build programme delivering approximately 2,000 new homes each year. Over the next 10 years, the group is looking to deliver 20,000 new properties, with a focus on providing a solution to the UK’s housing shortage.

Rachel Gwynne, head of social housing at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, said: “While our relationship with Orbit has developed over many years, a formal appointment to new full-service panel will allow us to continue to work closely together on a broad range of legal issues over the coming years. 

“Social housing – and the wider real estate market – is a keen focus for the firm and it’s an incredibly exciting time to be operating in this space. There is change afoot, especially as the UK places a greater focus on providing accommodation which is fit for purpose and in the right locations. Orbit is playing a pivotal role in driving that change.”

Rachel Gwynne continued: “The Orbit ethos is one which runs in parallel with our own, focusing on providing practical and accessible advice, support and solutions. At such a pivotal time for the housing industry in general, we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds and working with the Orbit team.”