Charlotte Drake

Awards and Recognition

Co-author of the only dedicated book on corporate trusts and bond restructuring in the market, published for Stephenson Harwood's corporate trust clients.

Stephenson Harwood / London Publishing Partnership

“Having worked with the Stephenson Harwood Corporate Trust team for many years on a variety of complex and interesting matters, I am consistently impressed by the depth of their legal knowledge together with their commercial outlook and pragmatism. Charlotte and Jonathan are a pleasure to work with, which makes appointing them a very easy decision.”

Eliot Solarz, Director – Head of Corporate Trust, Law Debenture

Biography

Language - English
Key Jurisdiction - England & Wales

Charlotte supports corporate trustees and agents - whether part of financial institutions or independent professional providers - in achieving their goals. She is equally adept at navigating complex restructurings and resolving disputes as she is advising on new issuances and ongoing administration issues. Her clients rely on her trusted advice in capital markets, syndicated lending, debt restructuring and structured finance transactions.

With over 20 years’ experience across private practice, in-house and knowledge roles, Charlotte delivers practical, client-focused support tailored to each situation. A strategic thinker and recognised knowledge leader, she combines technical expertise with an approachable style and commercial insight, excelling at making the complex simple and always looking ahead to keep clients prepared for what comes next. Clients value her clarity, collaborative approach, and unwavering focus on protecting their interests. As the Finance Group’s knowledge partner, Charlotte manages the knowledge team to ensure that the latest legal and market developments are seamlessly embedded in advice to clients. She is also passionate about ensuring that efficiency and cost-effectiveness inform every aspect of a Stephenson Harwood finance transaction and its delivery.

As co-author of the market’s only dedicated book on corporate trusts and bond restructuring, Charlotte is recognised as a leader in her field. An experienced public speaker and trainer, she is widely regarded for making complex issues accessible and actionable. Clients and colleagues alike rely on Charlotte for her deep technical expertise, strategic thinking and steadfast commitment to their success - knowing she will always advocate for their interests with professionalism and integrity.

Experience

Fairhold Securitisation

Advising the note trustee on contentious issues in the Fairhold securitisation, taking over from previous advisers and subsequently helping the trustee through the compromise of claims and the £1 billion restructuring.
Disputed Event of Default

Advising a note trustee on allegations of default raised by activist noteholders and disputed by the issuer, helping to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and protect trustee interests.
Bank consent solicitation

Advising the bond trustee on a bank's invitation to its bondholders to tender their perpetual bonds for cash and approve modifications enabling redemption - ensuring the trustee’s duties were fulfilled and its interests protected throughout.

Securitisation transactions – LIBOR transition

Guiding the bond trustee through consent exercises to transition multiple debt securities from LIBOR to SONIA.
Complex debt restructurings

Supporting note and security trustees in a range of high-profile corporate debt restructurings (drawing on two decades of experience going as far back as the landmark bond restructurings of the early 2000s, such as Railtrack, Marconi and British Energy).
Trust administration and new transactions

Regularly assisting trustees and financial institutions with day-to-day trust matters and new issuances.
Knowledge leadership

Leading various knowledge-based projects for the Finance Group during periods of significant change (e.g. Brexit, the Covid pandemic and LIBOR transition), ensuring colleagues and clients received timely, practical, and efficient advice.
Innovation

Working closely with the Stephenson Harwood innovation team to ensure that Finance transactions are delivered to clients as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.