Mon, 09 Mar 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
A search fund has made the first step in a long-term buy-and-build strategy with the acquisition of a law firm with offices in the East Midlands and South East. River Cam Group has acquired Ives & Co Solicitors Limited in a deal supported by Buzzacott.
River Cam Group is a traditional search fund led by founder Louis Lew and backed by multiple investors.
Founded in 1988, Ives & Co Solicitors is headquartered in Nottingham, with further offices in Ruddington and Kent. The company, an established legal services provider, specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing, along with wills and probate services.
The deal is the first move in River Cam’s entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) growth strategy, through which it is focusing on providing SME law firm owners in the UK with long-term succession options.
During the transaction, River Cam Group received financial due diligence, tax due diligence and transaction advisory services from accountancy and advisory firm Buzzacott.
Working alongside other professional advisers, a Buzzacott team provided a full service to River Cam Group, spanning from due diligence through to negotiating the EV Bridge and reviewing relevant sections of the Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA).
The Buzzacott team was led by director George Thresh, working alongside Manager Catriona Soden, partners Alex Judd and Maurice Von Bertele and Supervisor Andrea Lupson.
Louis Lew commented: "Buzzacott brings exactly the kind of hands-on SME M&A and search fund expertise operators need. They helped us stay ahead of the curveballs that inevitably arose in transactions like this, and their commercial mindset made a real difference."
Find out more about ETA and search fund M&A with our in-depth analysis of the acquisition model
Despite some reticence among potential buyers, the UK legal sector offers a wealth of opportunities for small and medium-sized firms to grow through acquisitions
An impressive financial advisory firm in the South-East, managing £250 million in funds under management, is available for acquisition.
This well-established IFA boasts a loyal client base, some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years, ensuring strong client retention.
This well-established Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) firm boasts £90m in Funds Under Management and a solid client base in the North East and Yorkshire.
Looking for more businesses? Try our off-market tool.
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