Wed, 25 Jun 2025 | BUSINESS NEWS
A Birmingham-headquartered commercial law firm is set to target acquisitive and organic growth after securing backing from private equity firm LDC. Harper James provides tailored legal support to UK SMEs via a subscription-based model.
The company was launched in 2014 and, since then has supported more than 6,500 clients and grown to become a 140-strong business with offices across the UK. The firm has consistently achieved double-digit year-on-year growth, with revenue increasing, on average, by 33 per cent annually over the past three years.
LDC has now agreed to back the company’s management team, led by CEO and founder Toby Harper, as it seeks to make complementary acquisitions that broaden its service range. LDC will also support continued organic growth via investment in the company’s technology-enabled model.
Calling the partnership with LDC a “major milestone” for the company, Toby Harper commented: "From our very first meeting, the team at LDC has shown a genuine understanding of our culture and vision, and we look forward to working with them to take Harper James to the next level and offer even greater value to our clients and our people."
LDC’s investment was led by the firm’s West Midlands team, including partner and head of the West Midlands Chris Handy, along with investment directors Karen Mann and Matt Newbold.
Post-transaction, Handy and Mann will become non-executive directors on the Harper James board, while Steve Weller, who brings extensive experience working with private equity-backed businesses, will join as non-executive chairman.
Chris Handy commented: "Today's technology-enabled SMEs want greater flexibility and the option to work with advisers in a way that reflects how they do business.”
"Harper James' innovative model, people-first culture and commitment to delivering flexible high-quality legal services make it a standout firm in a fast-evolving market.”
"We're looking forward to supporting Toby and his team as they continue to disrupt the traditional legal sector and pursue the firm’s ambitious growth strategy."
Despite the massive growth potential offered by M&A and the significant degree of fragmentation in the UK legal sector, many UK law firms say they are hesitant about using acquisitions to drive their growth. In this in-depth insight, available to BSR subscribers, we dismantle some of the prevailing myths that put SMEs off M&A-led growth.
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