Fast-growing law firm moves to new city centre offices as part of expansion plans

Fast-growing firm Knights has announced it is moving to new offices in Manchester city centre.

The company, which made history when it floated on the Stock Exchange in June, is moving into the recently refurbished Barbirolli Square building.

Knights had hit the acquisition trail in recent years and as part of the float the firm bought Manchester law firm Turner Parkinson in the summer.

The firm was valued at £103m when it joined AIM and has big ambitions.

Earlier this month it splashed out £8.5m on  Leicester based Spearing Waite.

And Knights is now looking to expand in Manchester. The team in Manchester is relocating from Hollins Chambers to the recently refurbished Barbirolli Square.

The office is an open-plan, high-quality environment and has a space for 200 staff.

Knights said it will expand its workforce in the city through the recruitment of quality individuals and teams to the new office.

A key part of Knights’ organic growth strategy is attracting new talent and rolling out new offices in targeted regional locations.

David Beech,

Chief executive David Beech said: “Manchester is an excellent location from which to grow our presence in the North West.

“The decision to invest in the City was the natural progression following the acquisition of Turner Parkinson earlier this year and key to our strategy of growing the Knights’ brand organically.”

Private bank Handelsbanken recently announced it is moving into the same building.

The Swedish bank will create 300 new jobs when it opens in Manchester this autumn.

The bank has taken a 10-year lease on 40,000 sq ft at the building.

Handelsbanken, which has a nationwide network of 208 branches, will occupy the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors of the 87,000 sq ft building which has just completed an extensive £6m refurbishment programme by owners AEW.