Shoosmiths has appointed Alastair Carruthers as a Partner in its Banking & Finance team in Manchester, strengthening its asset-based lending capability in the North West and across the UK.
Published: 10 August 2026
Joining from DLA Piper, Alastair’s practice focuses on asset-based lending. He brings experience advising on cross-border financing transactions, receivables financing and other forms of asset-based lending, with particular expertise across complex upper mid-market transactions.
His clients include clearing banks with asset-based lending platforms, independent and alternative lenders, private credit and fund-backed lenders, sponsors, corporates, and mid- and upper mid-market borrowers, including across asset intensive sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and mobility.
Jon Bew, Partner and Head of Asset Based Lending at Shoosmiths, said: "Asset based lending is a growing and increasingly sophisticated area of the finance market, and Alastair’s addition strengthens our capabilities to support clients across the UK and internationally on complex matters. His deep specialist expertise and strong, well-established network are significant assets to our team, complementing our existing offering and enhancing our capacity to advise on complex multi‑asset and cross‑border mandates as we continue to make progress against our 2030 growth strategy. We are thrilled to welcome him to Shoosmiths.”
Alastair is widely regarded in his field, with both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK widely recognising him, with Legal 500 confirming him as a ‘Rising Star’ for both Asset Based Lending and North West Banking and Finance.
Commenting on his appointment, Alastair said: "Shoosmiths has a clear and ambitious vision for its Banking & Finance practice, and the firm's commitment to building out a market-leading offering in the upper mid-market was immediately compelling. The opportunity to build on the growing demand for asset based lending in the North West and nationally, combined with the strength of the firm's broader platform across Corporate and Restructuring and Advisory, made this an exciting prospect. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to build on the strong foundations already in place."
Alastair's appointment reflects Shoosmiths' continued investment in its Banking & Finance practice, one of the firm's core growth platforms under its 2030 strategy and follows the addition of E&I specialist partner Graham Knight and promotion of leveraged finance partner Charlotte Thomas.
The Shoosmiths Manchester Banking & Finance team has expertise across the core disciplines of real estate finance, leveraged and corporate lending and asset-based lending, it also brings the team up to 13 strong, making it one of the largest teams in the North West.
Shoosmiths’ Banking & Finance team advises borrowers, lenders and investors on corporate, real estate, leveraged and acquisition finance, asset-based lending, energy and infrastructure finance and sector-specific transactions. Working across the UK and industries such as energy, infrastructure, mobility, logistics and retail, the team supports clients through growth, acquisitions, restructurings and working capital solutions.