Nash: First of several acquisitions
National firm Canford Law has acquired property services business PDC Group, its first deal since being bought by private equity at the start of 2026.
Canford founder David Nash said it was “the first of several acquisitions planned as we expand across the sector”.
Hertfordshire-based PDC comprises three businesses – Property Debt Collection, PDC Law and PDC Conveyancing – that provide property debt recovery, litigation and conveyancing services to landlords, managing agents, management companies and homeowners.
Canford is best known for its credit hire work but also handles commercial litigation and housing disrepair claims. It sold a majority stake to Queen’s Park Equity in January, a deal Mr Nash told Legal Futures [1] would supercharge its growth.
PDC Group was owned by Joe Tona, who set up Property Debt Collection in 1993 and then PDC Law in 2016 [2].
PDC will continue to operate under its brands and led by managing director Reece Wheeldon and the existing senior leadership team. There are 75 people working across the three businesses and takes Canford a significant way towards his goal of doubling in size in the first year (Canford had 119 staff in January).
Mr Nash said: “We are not looking to grow simply for the sake of becoming bigger. We want to bring high-quality specialist businesses into the Canford Group, invest in what already makes them successful and give them the support and resources to achieve more.
“PDC gives Canford an exciting new dimension, with established expertise across property law, debt recovery and conveyancing. I believe there is a great deal we can learn from each other and significant opportunity ahead for both businesses.”
The deal also marked “the beginning of the next phase of Canford’s development” as it looked to grow further both organically and through acquisition.
“The ambition is to continue to build a diverse, tech enabled legal services group, bringing together excellent businesses and providing the investment and support they need to continue developing.”
Matthew Donaldson, chairman of Canford Group, said: “This transaction is a significant milestone for the Group and represents the first of many transactions.
“Whilst the business continues to enjoy rapid organic growth, the legal services market offers significant M&A potential and Canford Group, with its exceptional leadership team is well placed to capitalise on these opportunities.”
Alex McRae, investor at QPE – who is speaking at Claims Futures [3] next month – called PDC “exactly the kind of value-accretive bolt-on” it was looking for when it took over Canford: “PDC was a clear strategic fit from day one – a highly complementary business that diversifies the group’s end markets, deepens its customer base, and adds real scale to the platform.”
Elsehwere, leading offshore legal and corporate services firm Appleby has taken “a significant minority investment” from New Mountain Capital.
Appleby has more than 500 employees, with around 200 lawyers in 11 offices in eight jurisdictions.
The deal is structured with New Mountain taking a stake in a newly established company in the Cayman Islands that will indirectly hold Appleby Global Group LLC. This LLC operates as a managed service organisation for Appleby’s law firms and the owner of Appleby Global Services, the corporate and fiduciary service provider.
Chief executive Malcolm Moller said: “New Mountain’s investment positions the firm to expand into new jurisdictions and service lines, further invest in technology and innovation, and enhance client service.”
Harris Kealey, managing director at New Mountain, said: “Appleby enjoys a leading reputation across its jurisdictions and we see strong, long-term growth tailwinds across each of those markets.
“New Mountain is well-positioned to support the ambitious growth strategy – we have deep experience scaling professional services firms through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
“The opportunity for Appleby employees to increase equity ownership and participate in the future success of the firm is central to our partnership approach.”
The deal follows Mourant – the Jersey-headquartered offshore group combining legal, governance and consulting services – taking minority investment [4] last month, and in January fellow offshore group Walkers agreeing a “strategic co-investment” [5] from Vitruvian Partners into its fund and corporate services business.
Walkers Professional Services (WPS) this week announced its first deal since then, to buy Value Partners, a Luxembourg professional services firm (excluding legal services) that advises private equity, real estate and private credit funds, banks and multinational companies. Its 150 staff will make 560 in total at WPS.
Steven Manning, chief executive of WPS, said: ‘Our clients have been clear that they want WPS alongside them in Luxembourg, and this acquisition is our response.”
Broadfield – the international law firm supported by a global management consultancy – has expanded into France, meanwhile.
In late 2024, Southern England firm BDB Pitmans became Broadfield UK [6], the founder member of the firm. It joined forces with SHP Legal Services – a subsidiary of global consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal – which provides management services to law firms joining Broadfield in the areas of technology, operations and talent acquisition.
It has opened a Paris office after hiring Isabelle de La Gorce from PwC Law. Its initial focus will be on M&A for French and international corporate and private equity funds, with employment advice to follow.
Broadfield also has offices in the US, Brazil and Hong Kong, the latter two in association with local law firms.
Finally, in conventional M&A news, Bromley-based Judge & Priestley has acquired London practice William Heath & Co, adding six partners and six other staff who specialise in conveyancing and private client services.
Steven Taylor, managing partner at Judge & Priestley, said: “This merger is another important step in the continued development of our firm and reflects our long-term commitment to sustainable growth.”