Knights to create £40m firm with Darbys acquisition

The deal, which is expected to compete in early January, would create a combined firm with a turnover of £40m and more than 300 professionals. It would enter the top 100 law firms by revenue.

Knights has offices in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Gloucestershire and Derbyshire, whilst Darbys has offices in Oxford, Manchester and Colchester.

Knights’ CEO David Beech said: “Knights set an ambitious business objective to become a top 100 law firm by 2017 - and with the purchase of Darbys, we have achieved that target a year early. We are proud of the growth that Knights has seen over the past two years in particular – which has seen us open in two new locations, appoint more than 150 new professionals and double our turnover.”

Darbys’ managing partner Simon McCrum said: “This is hugely exciting. It became clear very quickly that Knights and ourselves have the same culture, strengths, national vision, and the same ‘quality’ and ‘service’ ethos.

“The two firms have a complementary offering – combining to develop our existing strengths. It was clear from the beginning, that David and I could see immediately that the two firms together will produce a superb business.”

Knights’ Beech added that the firm would continue its acquisition programme throughout 2016 “and beyond” as it bids to be a leading regional professional services business.

“It is an important part of our strategy to provide integrated solutions to our clients with legal services being part of a wider offering,” he said.

“Future acquisitions and increased recruitment of professionals who seek to join a functional business and cohesive culture are integral to our ambitious growth plans.”

Regional accountancy groups, tax specialists and real estate advisory organisations located outside of the major cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, are said to be the main focus.