Alex Heaton

Alex advises high-profile landlords on leasing strategies, including lease negotiations, re-gears, lettings, surrenders, rent reviews, and property sales. 

• Acted for a FTSE 250 real estate investment trust in relation to its large portfolio of multi-let London premises, dealing with high-value leases, complicated fit-outs, surrenders, property management matters, short-form template documents, and general advisory issues. 
• Acted for a statutory body operating a significant London market, including advising upon template documentation and tenant logistics, dealing with general real estate strategy, and managing the phased relocation of a large number of tenants. 

Alex supports office relocations for financial and professional services tenants, advising on lease terms, surplus property disposals, flexible office arrangements, and occupancy planning. 

• Acted for a leading UK merchant banking group in relation to a major suburban relocation and the exit from its former premises.
• Acted for a global consultancy business in relation to a pre-let agreement and relocation to a new landmark building in Bristol and the disposal of its previous premises.
• Acting for over 15 years for a specialist asset manager, now based in Westminster, guiding it through two relocations and dealing with various property issues arising.
• Acted for global commodity traders in relation to a lease of over 21,000 square feet in 20 Fenchurch Street (the “Walkie-Talkie”).
• Acted for global commodity traders in relation to their moves to Westminster and then Victoria, and the subsequent assignment of a lease of previous premises.
• Acted for a leading global firm of real estate consultants in relation to their own lease of City premises.
• Acted for a leading global law firm in relation to subletting floors of its excess London space.
• Assisted a New York-based international law firm acquire a lease of London premises.
• Acted for a global private equity firm in relation to its lease of premises in Salesforce Tower (formerly Heron Tower).
• Advised an Italian financial services company in relation to its arrival into the UK and taking a lease of premises in London.
• Acted for a leading investment trust in relation to its move to the new development at 100 Bishopsgate, London.
• Acted for an investment manager taking a lease of premises in Westminster.
• Acted for a number of hedge funds in relation to their leases of premises in west London.
• Advised a British software company in relation to its relocation to premises on the south coast.
• Acted for UK-based and regulated alternative investment managers in relation to their relocation within London and the exit from their previous premises.
• Advised a London-based recruitment agency upon a lease of their new premises.
• Advised a Chinese state-owned multinational conglomerate in relation to its move into premises in London.

Alex provides end-to-end advice on property portfolio management, covering deeds of variation, lease re-gears, rent reviews, and property management agreements including licences to assign, sublet, and alter premises. 

• For over 20 years, advising one of the leading travel technology companies in relation to its UK property portfolio, including a sale and leaseback of London premises, re-gearing and extending its head office lease, entering into various leases, and general property management matters.
• For over 20 years, advising a PLC and its group of market-leading brands in the bathroom and kitchen sectors upon its extensive property portfolio, including the rationalisation of and exit strategy for a large legacy portfolio.
• For over 20 years, advising a multinational telecommunications and outsourcing company in relation to all aspects of its UK property portfolio, including a sale and leaseback of its UK headquarters, new leases, subletting, assignment and surrenders.
• Assisted a manufacturer of TV and broadcasting equipment with its exit from redundant premises.
• Attended to the UK real estate needs of a leading global provider of cloud-based technology.
• Advised an online gambling operator in relation to its property strategy and the subletting of excess space and its property strategy.
• Acted for a leading UK merchant banking group in relation to the renewal, re-gearing and partial subletting of its principal London premises.
• Advised a leading German bank in relation to its principal London premises in a landmark office building near St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Acting for a UK-based production company with regard to the lease of its principal premises and any related issues.
• Acting for a group of sixth form colleges in relation to property matters arising.
• Assisting a semi-professional football club in London with ad hoc property matters.

Alex acts on complex property projects, including acquisitions, disposals, strategic relocations, across multi-site and high-value transactions. 

• Advised a multinational conglomerate in connection with a major project to upgrade and expand the rail network, focusing on the complicated leasing and finance arrangements regarding the construction of two new depots, and led major multi-party negotiations between the key stakeholders. 
• Advised the operators of the East Coast rail line and assisted with various lease renewals. 
• Provided input into the real estate due diligence process underpinning corporate transactions and preparing title reports and Certificates of Title upon a range of properties (including hotels, garden centres, children’s nurseries, caravan parks, restaurants, and shops) as part of substantial portfolio acquisitions or re-financing. 

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Commercial property: corporate occupiers 2026