Legal and professional services group Knights has strengthened its presence in the South East with the acquisition of an Essex-based law firm in a deal worth up to £16.6 million.
The acquisition of Birkett Long will see around 90 lawyers and 10 financial advisers join Knights’ national team of more than 1,250 professionals across 28 locations, pushing the firm’s annual revenue beyond £200 million.
Birkett Long, which operates from offices in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester, reported revenue of £14.7 million for the year ending May 31, 2024. The firm brings with it a strong client base in both corporate and private sectors, as well as Birkett Long IFA LLP – offering Knights an opportunity to integrate legal and wealth advisory services under one roof.
Knights, which was founded in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1759 and has most of its operations based in North Staffordshire, will pay an initial £10 million for the business, with a further £6.6 million in deferred consideration over the next three years. Completion of the deal is expected on 13 June.
David Beech, CEO of Knights, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Birkett Long team to Knights, strengthening our presence in the areas immediately surrounding London, and giving us an entry into wealth advisory – a complementary service which has been of interest for some time.
“Birkett Long’s broad range of services for business and private clients, culture and operational model are an excellent fit, and we are confident the acquisition will provide a strong platform for growth.”
Daily Focus recently reported that Knights had made a multi-million-pound investment into the Newcastle offices where the company started out and had opened a new records centre in Stoke-on-Trent.
Martin Hopkins, Managing Partner of Birkett Long, added: “We are excited to be joining Knights following a period of growth and modernisation of our business. Being part of a business of scale will allow us to provide a broader range of services to our regional clients, along with even more career opportunities for our people.”
