Haden: Outlook for consolidation in serious injury is positive
The biggest specialist personal injury firm in the country has made its second acquisition since being bought by private equity last October.
Southport-based Fletchers said the deal to buy Leeds firm Minton Morrill was further evidence of its intention to consolidate the serious injury market.
Minton Morrill has three partners – Julia Morrill, Simon Minton and Sahida Patel – and 15 staff specialising in complex medical negligence claims, often involving brain injury, and Court of Protection work. All are remaining with the business.
It will continue to operate from its offices and under its brand, with Fletchers set to use the name as a trading style for some high-value work, in particular birth injury cases, given its reputation in the field.
It is used to operating multiple sub-brands, such as Patient Claim Line for medical negligence, and in May acquired the personal injury work of Burnley firm Smith Jones and its specialist brand for injured cyclists, Cycle SOS.
Fletchers, which was bought by Sun Capital, employs over 500 people. Group chief executive Peter Haden said he planned to invest in Minton Morrill so as “to help it to become one of the leading specialist clinical negligence practices nationwide”.
He added: “The acquisition will also see the Fletchers business strengthen their own footprint into the Leeds area, part of an expanding portfolio of locations…
“We have made clear our intention to acquire businesses which fit our strategy and enhance our pool of talent in medical negligence, and Minton Morrill is a perfect fit for us in this respect.”
Mr Minton said: “Peter painted a compelling picture of the opportunity for us as part of Fletchers, and we are excited by the prospect of being part of a growing and expanding business.
“We felt that we would benefit from being part of a bigger group in order to push on to the next level of growth.”
Mr Haden added: “The outlook for consolidation in serious injury is positive. We remain keen to talk to vendors looking to create value from their life’s work and either retire or, like Minton Morrill, aim for further growth and success as part of a larger group.
“Sun Capital continues to be supportive of our growth aspirations and is focused on helping us invest to build scale and capability. Our pipeline is strong and I’m confident that we will bring more deals to completion over the next few months.”
