Tom Brearley

Overview

I’m a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team based in Exeter and have over 20 years’ experience acting on a broad range of commercial property work, including acquisitions, disposals, asset management (landlord and tenant), energy and secured lending.

Over my career, I have had the opportunity to develop expertise in more specialist areas such as airports, telecoms, education, mineral extraction and personal pension funds (SIPP and SSAS).

Having been involved with renewable energy projects since activity in the sector took off in the early 2010s, I possess considerable experience across a range of energy asset types (such as solar, wind, battery storage, gas-peaker and hydrogen).

Outside of work, I have a keen interest in aviation and have been Chair of the Devon & Somerset Microlight Club.

Recent experience

Energy – Property & Land Aspects:

Acting for a significant rooftop solar business taking Airspace Leases at large industrial premises across the country

Acting for a landowner on an Option for development of a hydrogen manufacturing facility (powered by an embedded solar array)

Advising a Cornish landed estate on a solar park lease with a development value of over £20 million

Asset Management:

Advising Exeter Airport on its property estate (including lettings, surrenders, licences and Agreements for Lease). Transactions include re-letting of 170,000 sq ft of maintenance, office and hangar premises following the insolvency of regional airline Flybe

Pension Funds:

Acting on the purchase and letting of industrial premises for a SSAS established by an international video conferencing business

Acting on the in-specie transfer of a leasehold investment property in central London from a SIPP to a SSAS

Minerals:

Acting for Dorset County Council on the grant of a quarry lease for Portland stone

Advising a landed estate on the relocation of an aggregates extraction operation including an Option to take a lease over an alternative site

Telecoms:

Developing a Framework Agreement between the Forestry Commission and a national mobile signal provider – together with overseeing the roll-out of template mast site agreements across 35 sites