Mon, 15 Jan 2024 | BUSINESS NEWS
Stowe Family Law, a family law business backed by private equity firm Livingbridge, has reported a further year of growth. During 2023, the company made two acquisitions and, in its recently filed accounts, grew its turnover and cut its pre-tax losses.
The Leeds-headquartered firm was acquired by Livingbridge in 2017 and, since then, has expanded to become a network of close to 80 offices across England and Wales, with a workforce of more than 160 specialist family lawyers.
The company completed its first takeover in April 2022, acquiring London-based family law firm Chapman Pieri. In March 2023, it acquired niche family law firm Watson Thomas Solicitors, which has offices in London, Hampshire and Surrey, before acquiring Crisp & Co Solicitors in December 2023, in a deal that added more than ten new offices to its London portfolio, as well as further locations across the south of England and in Manchester.
During 2023, the company also invested £2.3 million in digital marketing and brand building operations, helping it increase its client enquiries from 38,000 in 2022 to 51,800.
In its recently filed accounts for the year ending March 31 2023, the company reported turnover of £24.8 million, up from £17.5 million a year earlier, while cutting its pre-tax losses from £4.74 million to £3.68 million.
Stowe Family Law Chairman Ken Fowlie said that last year "saw a continuation of Stowe Family Law’s recent track record of strong organic growth”, with turnover up by more than 40 per cent and the firm gaining share in its existing markets and extending into new locations. Fowlie said that, since 2020, the company has opened in excess of 65 new locations across England and Wales.
He continued: "With the support of our majority owner Livingbridge Private Equity and our lenders Virgin Money, the firm has continued to make significant investments in people, technology, and digital marketing, each of which supports the firm’s growth and performance.”
"Building on its first acquisition of family law firm, Chapman Pieri in 2022, Stowe continues to work with its key stakeholders and advisors, Springboard Corporate Finance, and successfully acquired two firms in 2023: Watson Thomas in March, extending its reach in Surrey and Hampshire, and boutique practice Crisp & Co in December, adding substantially to its London portfolio.”
Find out more about M&A trends in the UK legal sector
Automotive call out services including breakdown recovery and removal for cars vans, and light commercial vehicles. Operates on behalf of major breakdown providers insurance agents dealerships & garages for roadside assistance throughout the Midlands...
An opportunity to acquire an Installer of plumbing and heating systems to new-build housing developments as well as single domestic properties.
Specialist Reinstatement Services Provider offering Backfill Operations to the Power Gas and Water Utilities and Construction sectors in East Anglia London and South-East England. The company is a Tier 1 Contractor for UK Power Networks and Cadent Ga...
02
|
May
|
Scottish law firms WJM and Davidson Chalmers Stewart merge | MERGER
Scottish law firms Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) an...
01
|
May
|
Cybersecurity firm Brigantia bought by European peer | BUSINESS SALE
North Yorkshire cybersecurity distributor Brigantia Partners...
01
|
May
|
Historic pottery company Moorcroft goes out of business | ADMINISTRATION
The directors of 128-year-old Moorcroft Pottery have announc...
25
|
Sep
|
Major UK family law business acquired by investment firm | BUSINESS SALE
Stowe Family Law, a specialist family law firm with approxim...
13
|
Jun
|
Stowe Family Law acquires southern firm | BUSINESS SALE
Stowe Family Law has strengthened its presence in greater Lo...
01
|
Dec
|
PE-backed law firm adds locations across the UK with acquisition | BUSINESS SALE
Stowe Family Law, a law company backed by private equity fir...
Business Sale Report is the complete resource for finding genuine acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.