Beech: Broadening offering
Listed law firm Knights has made its 27th acquisition since going public eight years ago, spending £4m on Thames Valley practice THP Solicitors.
It described the deal as a “compelling bolt-on” following Knights’ expansion in the region in spring 2025 with the acquisition of IBB Law.
THP offers a wide range of personal and business legal services, with particular strengths in private wealth, family and real estate.
It has around 30 fee-earners in offices in Reading and Henley but they will close and all staff moved into Knights’ Reading office, which investors were told to date “has been weighted towards business services”.
Knights described the area around Berkshire and Oxfordshire as “one of the UK’s most attractive regional markets”.
It is paying £2.4m upfront, with the remaining cash payable in equal instalments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries, subject to certain conditions being met.
Knights chief executive David Beech said: “THP’s expertise will strengthen our capabilities, broadening our full-service offering for clients across the region, whilst leveraging our premium Reading office and our recent investment there.
“The business has a strong cultural fit, and we are confident that combining its talented team with our scale and infrastructure will provide a strong foundation for future growth.”
Rachel Gaylor, one of THP’s four partners, added: “Having built a strong local reputation and client base, becoming part of Knights will provide the platform that we need for the next stage of our growth.
“Our clients will benefit from access to a broader range of services and expertise, while our colleagues will have greater opportunities as part of a larger national business with scale and resource.
“We look forward to working with the team to realise the significant growth potential we see in the Thames Valley region.”
Last month, Knights reported a “return to organic growth” in its last financial year as part of a 28% bump in revenues to almost £208m, while profit before tax was up 19% to £33m.
Our annual review of the performance of listed legal businesses recorded that Knights did the best in 2025, with its share price jumping by 70% to 179p. Shares in Knights were 181p at the close of trading yesterday.
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