Martin-Simon: Ongoing commitment
Two of Lawfront’s group firms have announced bolt-on acquisitions, taking the number of such deals since 2021 to 10 in total.
Essex and Suffolk firm Fisher Jones Greenwood (FJG) and Farleys in the North-West were the two first members of the leading private equity-backed group and have bought Giles Wilson and Houldsworth Solicitors respectively.
Giles Wilson is a 35-strong firm in Leigh-on-Sea – by Southend – and “accelerates FJG’s growth and presence across East Anglia, and expands on the firm’s high-performing private client practice with a new dedicated vulnerable client team”, a statement said.
FJG managing partner Doug Field said: “We have serious ambitions for what a truly outstanding regional law firm can become. We now operate from the largest three cities in Essex.
“Giles Wilson is exactly the kind of business we want to join us: successful, respected, deeply connected to its communities and, above all, full of talented people.
“As part of Lawfront, we have the backing, technology and ambition to drive significant growth, while retaining the local relationships and personal service that make the best regional firms special.”
Clitheroe-based Houldsworth Solicitors has 27 people offering property, family and private client services.
Ian Liddle, managing partner of Farleys, said: “We’re a proud Lancashire firm and this acquisition allows us to strengthen our presence in the area while protecting the local relationships and personal approach that clients value.”
Peter Martin-Simon, newly installed chief executive [1] of Lawfront, said: “These latest deals highlight Lawfront’s ongoing commitment to backing its firms to go for growth. Both acquisitions strengthen FJG and Farleys’ positions across their respective regions, and allow them to further accelerate their growth as leading regional players.”
Last month, Lawfront announced a refinancing [2] that nearly doubled its funding, meaning “we can expand on our ambitious growth strategy”.
It has bought seven large regional law firms since entering the market in 2021 with a combined turnover of around £170m: Brachers, Farleys, Fisher Jones Greenwood, Nelsons, Slater Heelis, Trethowans and, most recently, Field Seymour Parkes [3].
Lawfront has also supported the individual firms to make 10 bolt-on acquisitions between them – Nelsons has made four, Farleys three, FJG two and Brachers one. It also owns Manchester-based costs firm Godfrey Wright.