Wed, 03 Sep 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Derby-headquartered law firm Flint Bishop has agreed a deal to acquire a counterpart with several offices in the North of England, in a deal that it describes as a “transformative step” in its ongoing growth strategy.
Flint Bishop’s acquisition of Lupton Fawcett LLP, which has offices in Sheffield, Leeds and York, will expand its workforce to over 420 and take its annual turnover past the £40 million mark. The transaction is set to complete at the end of September 2025.
In addition to increasing its scale and geographic presence, the acquisition is poised to bolster Flint Bishop’s capabilities across a range of areas, including commercial, employment, dispute resolution and litigation, private client services and property.
The deal will also introduce new specialisms, including intellectual property, ecclesiastical law, criminal and regulatory.
Post-transaction, Flint Bishop will retain Lupton Fawcett’s three offices, substantially increasing its presence in the North of England. In addition to its Derby headquarters, the company currently has offices in Birmingham, Leeds and Swansea.
As part of the acquisition, Flint Bishop has made a considerable investment in technology, IT and innovation, in an effort to encourage growth and integration, and plans to launch a recruitment drive across Sheffield, Leeds and York.
Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive at Flint Bishop, said: "Our latest acquisition is a transformative step in our growth journey, enhancing our capabilities, broadening our geographic reach, and allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients.”
Ghafoor described Lupton Fawcett as a company with “a proud heritage and outstanding reputation” and said that the deal would create “significant opportunities for growth across Leeds, Sheffield, and York, where we will be actively recruiting to strengthen our presence in the north of England.”
The deal comes following a record-breaking financial year for Flint Bishop in 2024/25, with revenues increasing 53 per cent year-on-year to £31.9 million, and the firm is planning further acquisitive growth.
Ghafoor said that Flint Bishop has “further strategic acquisitions in the pipeline”, including active discussions currently underway, and that the company remains “firmly committed to strengthening our position as a leading, innovative, and client-focused national law firm."
Lupton Fawcett Managing Partner James Richardson commented: “The cultural alignment and shared commitment to excellence made this a natural fit. This move ensures continuity and stability for our existing clients, while creating considerable opportunities for growth in Yorkshire and across the wider north of England as part of a truly national law firm."
Despite the transformative growth opportunities that M&A can provide for mid-sized law firms, many are hesitant to pursue acquisitions due to misconceptions about the dealmaking process
This South West-based practice, available for the first time, offers a strong-quality client base predominantly consisting of limited companies, with average annual fees surpassing £3,000.
This South East UK-based practice, presents a remarkable opportunity to acquire a well-established business with long-standing client and staff relationships, promising continuity and stability.
This highly profitable IFA in Buckinghamshire boasts an impressive EBITDA margin, making it a compelling opportunity for acquisition.
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