Yardley: Value alignment
A blue-chip wealth management company has transferred the law firm it has owned since 2017 to a well-known East Midlands law firm.
Six people will move from Loughborough-based Woolley Beardsleys & Bosworth – which was part of the Chesterton House Group – to Rothera Bray. None are joining as partners.
It is Rothera’s third office in Leicestershire and eighth overall. Chief executive Christina Yardley said: “Woolley Beardsleys & Bosworth’s rich history, deep community connections, and commitment to client service align perfectly with our values.
“This merger enables us to serve a wider range of clients across Leicestershire while retaining the personal, high-quality legal support both firms are known for.”
Chesterton House Group first set up an alternative business structure in 2014 and then bought the conveyancing and private client law firm in 2017.
Announcing a series of changes to Chesterton, group chairman Andy Jervis said: “After very careful consideration we have come to the view that the best interests of the clients and staff of Woolley Beardsleys & Bosworth is in finding a partner with the resources, ethos and commitment that are needed to take the business forward, whilst building on the strong tradition of expertise and personal service that we have established over the years…
“The merger will mean that we are able to offer Woolley clients a much wider range of services whilst continuing to work closely in partnership with our financial planning and accounting teams where appropriate.”
In other M&A news, private equity-backed Fletchers Group has acquired the clinical negligence department of Bury law firm Sheldon Davidson, including two members of staff.
Charlene Mann, Fletchers’ managing director of new acquisitions, said: “This acquisition reinforces our strategy to grow by partnering with like-minded practices that complement our own.”
The deal follows the somewhat larger acquisition in January of North-West firm Scott Rees & Co, while Fletchers last month opened an office in Newcastle, which it plans to grow to 30 staff.
