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Joseph Frew

Partner
Manchester
About

Joe Frew advises lenders and borrowers on complex, cross-border and high value debt finance transactions, with a particular focus on Asset Based Lending (ABL) and Real Estate Finance.

Joe’s typical transactions involve structuring and documenting credit facilities based on the underlying value or performance of assets such as receivables, inventory or real estate (particularly in relation to the financing of residential property development in the 'living sector').

Joe is co-head of DLA Piper’s national ABL team and he also leads on Real Estate Finance matters in the North West of England.

Joe works proactively and collaboratively to deliver transactions for his clients, and he is rated in both Chambers and Legal 500.

Areas of FocusAsset-based LendingReal Estate FinanceLeveraged Finance and Debt Finance
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Acting for the syndicate of ABL providers on a facility of more than USD300m to an oil and gas business.
  • Advising the sponsor and borrower in relation to GBP120m of asset based lending facilities for a plant hire business.
  • Representing the lender on one of the UK's largest ever development loans for PBSA: a GBP500m facility to develop five separate sites in key UK university cities, to deliver over 3,000 student beds.
  • Acting for the lender on a 784 bed scheme in Glasgow with a GDV of £182,000,000, including advising that lender on its equity stake in the transaction.
  • Advising a credit fund on its inventory-led ABL facilities for a high-profile UK retailer.
  • Leading the DLA Piper team acting for the lender on a GBP238m development finance facility for a 941-bed PBSA scheme in London.
  • Helping an ABL provider with a unique structure to provide back-to-back ABL funding to a platform / peer-to-peer lender.
  • Representing a global corporate client on a multi-jurisdictional non-recourse receivables financing programme.

Awards

  • Joe is ranked as a [ ]"Leading Partner" in The Legal 500 (UK – North West, and UK - ABL) and in Band 2 by in Chambers (UK – North West).
Education
  • University of Liverpool, LLB (Hons)
  • College of Law, Chester, LPC

Publications

  • Global Asset Based Lending Guide, 12 March 2026

Seminars

  • Joe regularly hosts DLA Piper’s “ABL Forum” for asset-based lending clients in London and Manchester.
  • Joe is also a regular contributor to training and seminars on Real Estate Finance, including recent sessions on “build to rent” and regional Loan Market Association events.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Secured Finance Network (SFNet) – European Chapter

My latest insights

Publication

International Debt Finance Intelligence Report 2026

13 May 2026 .5 minute read

Publication

Global Asset Based Lending Guide

12 March 2026 .1 minute read

News

DLA Piper advises on acquisition of discount retailer, Poundland

13 June 2025 .2 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+44 161 235 4508
+44 7738 295 896