Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, is advising funds managed and/or advised by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (Blackstone) and by TPG Special Situations Partners (TSSP) on the acquisition of Kensington, the specialty UK residential mortgage lender, from Investec plc.
Kensington has been a leading player in the UK specialist residential and buy-to-let mortgage market since its establishment in 1994. Kensington was listed on the London Stock Exchange from 2000 until 2007.

Blackstone and TSSP intend to develop Kensington’s mortgage lending business and broader speciality finance capabilities, and are appointing Ian Henderson as Group Chief Executive to lead that strategy. He was previously Chief Executive of Shawbrook, the leading specialist bank.

The Freshfields team is being led by corporate partner David Higgins and corporate senior associate James Scott with finance partner David Trott and finance senior associate Sebastian FitzGerald leading on the debt related workstreams.