Eversheds Sutherland has advised longstanding client KPMG on completing the sale and leaseback of its headquarters at 15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, to Kingboard Investments of Hong Kong for c.£400m.

Following an open tender, Eversheds Sutherland was instructed by KPMG to advise on all legal aspects of this particularly complex, top-flight transaction. 

The Eversheds Sutherland team was led by Partner and Head of London Real Estate Bruce Dear, working with Partner Nef Jones, Senior Associate Jonathan Woodward and Associate Natasha O’Neill.

Bruce and the team have been entrusted by KPMG with a number of its highest-profile real estate deals over recent years including its 200,000 sq.ft. 30 North Colonnade extension to its Canary Wharf headquarters and KPMG's prestigious 20 Grosvenor Street offices. 

Bruce Dear, Head of London Real Estate at Eversheds Sutherland, said:

"It has been a great pleasure to work with and advise KPMG on this signature deal. The KPMG, JLL and Eversheds Sutherland teams worked seamlessly all through the project and it has been enormously satisfying to deliver its strategic objectives together.

“More widely, the deal shows overseas’ investors continuing enthusiasm for blue-chip London assets let to tenants of the highest quality and covenant strength. KPMG’s deep long-term future commitment to Canary Wharf and London made this a compelling asset for a mature, long-hold investor.”

Guy Stallard, Head of Performance & Operations Business Services at KPMG, said: 

"The Eversheds Sutherland deal team, led by Bruce Dear with Nef Jones, Natasha O'Neil and Jonathan Woodward supported us throughout this key ‘one-off’ transaction for KPMG."