Smith: Fantastic opportunity
Private equity-backed injury specialist Fletchers Group has unveiled its fourth law firm acquisition in little over three years in the shape of North-West firm Scott Rees & Co.
The deal, the value of which is undisclosed, will add 97 fee-earners and support staff from Scott Rees’s personal injury and clinical negligence teams.
Scott Rees, which is based in Newton-le-Willows – on the border of Cheshire and Merseyside – also handles conveyancing, and wills and probate.
When Sun European Partners invested Fletchers in October 2021, it had approximately 450 people and revenue of £34m.
With the acquisitions since of law firms Cycle SOS, Minton Morill and Serious Injury Law, and digital marketing specialist Blume, the group will hit £100m in revenues by the end of the current financial year on 30 April – having been £69m in 2023/24 – and already has more than 1,000 members of staff.
The other part of the group is Medical Law Services, which employs 50 nurses who review medical records to provide a paginated bundle, prepare a chronology and index, as well as give an opinion on the merits of the case.
The medium-term goal is £150m in revenue and 1,500 staff, chief financial officer Alex Lynch said last June when announcing an acquisition financing deal with Pemberton Asset Management.
Scott Rees, which was founded in 1992, specialises in employers’ liability, public liability, fatal accident claims and clinical negligence.
Managing partner Royston Smith will stay with the firm through the transition to Fletchers, and hand over to Fletchers’ Charlene Mann after completion.
The team will continue to operate from the office near Haydock Park Racecourse, and the brand will remain in place for the time being.
Peter Haden, Fletchers Group chief executive, said: “We are wholly committed to long-term growth in the personal injury sector, where Scott Rees is already well-established, and we warmly welcome our new colleagues into the group to strengthen our legal practice and build on their success.”
He said the Pemberton finance and continued backing of Sun European meant Fletchers had “further headroom for M&A”.
Mr Smith described the deal as “a fantastic opportunity for our people and the clients we serve”.
He explained: “It is the right move at the right time. Fletchers has the capability, access to cases, and investment support to ensure long-term growth and provide colleagues with more opportunities for career progression.
“It’s clear that consolidation in the personal injury sector is accelerating, and I am convinced that Fletchers will be one of the winners in this rapidly changing market.”
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