Marshall: Focusing on core strengths
Irwin Mitchell is selling its debt recovery business as it focuses on core legal services, kicking off the latest round of law firm deals.
The 140-strong Ascent Performance Group is being bought by Copper Street One Group – owned by Copper Street Capital – subject to regulatory approval.
Copper Street One is the ultimate parent company for Lantern, the debt purchase and business process outsourcing business, and Sonex, a leading provider of credit management services for highly vulnerable consumers.
Ascent was created in 2008 and has been growing rapidly. Its most recent accounts, for the year to 30 April 2025, showed turnover up 19% to £9.4m, although profit fell by 61% to £215,000 due to an IT upgrade. Staff numbers went from 116 to 140 in the year.
Last summer, Irwin Mitchell also sold IM Asset Management, which provided financial planning and investment advice to personal injury clients, to financial adviser Shackleton.
The deal included TWP Wealth, the high-net-worth financial planning company acquired by IM Asset Management in 2022.
Selling those three businesses removes around £20m in turnover from Irwin Mitchell. The firm’s most recent accounts, for the year to 30 April 2025, showed turnover up 5.5% to £300m, with profit up 10% to £81m.
Craig Marshall, group chief executive at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our strategy is to focus on our core strengths: building on our market-leading position in complex personal injury, growing our share of the market for private client legal services, and being recognised as a business that builds close, supportive relationships with our business clients so that we are the firm of choice for mid-market corporates.”
In other news, Chester-based Oliver & Co has acquired Taylor Brown, which previously operated from Ellesmere Port – where the office has closed – and Hoole, where staff have relocated to the Oliver & Co office.
It sees eight staff members, including Mat Taylor and two other solicitors, move over.
Kay Cook, managing director of Oliver & Co, which is an employee-owned firm, said: “Taylor Brown Solicitors has an excellent reputation locally, particularly in commercial and property work, and this acquisition is a natural fit for both firms.”
Mr Taylor added: “We are proud of the relationships we have built over the years, and it was important to us to find a firm that shares our values and commitment to client care. The integration will allow us to offer a broader range of services and greater support, while maintaining the trusted advice and personal approach our clients rely on.”
North-West firm Forbes Solicitors has acquired boutique Manchester and Liverpool firm e3 employment law, adding partners Simon Ost, Nick Jones and Dan Bickerstaffe, who was previously an associate at Forbes.
Managing partner Pauline Wild said: ” Our vision is to be the number one regional law firm with a national reach and e3 is a perfect acquisition to help us deliver against that promise, bringing outstanding client experience and a brilliant team of lawyers.”
Mr Bickerstaffe said: “Joining forces with Forbes was a logical next step in our evolution. There are very few firms like Forbes which deliver a truly full-service offering across commercial, public sector and private client from a regional HQ.”.
In Cumbria, Bendles is merging with Gaynham King & Mellor, bringing together teams of 60 and 20 people respectively.
Gaynham King & Mellor has offices in Penrith, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen, while Bendles is in Carlisle, Wigton and Whitehaven.
Gaynham partner Mark Graham will become an equity partner in Bendles, while fellow directors Alex Birtles and Tanya Mellor will become partners. Another director Kevin Lowther, will continue to work with the team on a consultancy basis.
John Stevenson, managing partner at Bendles, said the deal would enhance “our geographical reach and depth of expertise”.
The newly merged business will be known as Bendles Solicitors incorporating Gaynham King & Mellor.