Tue, 25 Feb 2025 | MBO/MBI
North West law firm Harrison Drury has undergone a management buy-out.
The group, whose roots date back to 1901, has been acquired by six members of its management team, for an undisclosed sum.
The new management team says the move means it will retain its independent ownership and lead the firm into an “exciting new chapter”.
The MBO was led by partner and head of the firm’s property and construction division, Simon England, together with existing partners Nick Booth, Hannah Hughes, Malcolm Ireland, Rick Life and Mark Traynor.
The deal will see England, who is a current shareholder, assume the role of managing partner, with current majority shareholder and executive chairman, John Chesworth, becoming senior partner and supporting the new ownership team.
Chesworth bought the firm in 2007 from Eddie Starkie. Under his leadership, it has grown from a firm employing 12 staff from one office in Preston to now employing 190 staff across eight offices in Clitheroe, Garstang, Kendal, Lancaster, Lytham, Manchester, Preston and Southport.
England said: “Independence is at the heart of who we are. Retaining this ensures we can uphold our commitment to being a truly people-centred organisation. This enables our lawyers to enjoy the freedom of serving our clients – owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals – the way they know best.”
He added: “The firm has embarked on a remarkable journey under John’s leadership, thriving in an intensely competitive legal marketplace and earning a reputation as a leading employer. This reputation attracted me to the firm in 2013, as it did for the exceptional professionals who work across all our teams and offices."
In 2024, Harrison Drury had 42 solicitors ranked in the prestigious national Legal 500 guide. The firm also opened its Manchester office and expanded into Southport.
Mark Traynor, who joined Harrison Drury in late 2023 to head up the firm’s corporate team, said: “In an active legal marketplace with lots of consolidation, we wanted to bring through our own ownership team and find the new custodians of the firm who will protect and enhance its established values and mission, and lead from the front.”
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