Law firm expands in Manchester thanks to acquisition

Robert White, Simon Whitehead, Lydia Edgar, Nik White

 

Law firm Brabners has acquired fast-growing Manchester firm HRC Law.

The move will sees a 15-strong team with significant specialisms in the recruitment sector join Brabners’ Manchester office.

As part of the deal HRC Law founder Simon Whitehead will return to Brabners as a senior equity partner having successfully built the HRC practice over the last six years.

Simon spent eight years at Brabners between 2003 and 2011, latterly as a partner.

HRC Law acts for a large number of employers and has built a strong specialism in the recruitment sector, acting for many trade organisations such as TEAM, Powerhive and the FCSA as well as recruitment businesses nationwide.

The acquisition is the latest development in a period of significant growth for Brabners as part of the strategic change programme being led by chief executive Robert White and managing partner Nik White.

The team from HRC Law joins an employment practice with an international client base whose collective turnover exceeds £15bn.

Nik White said: “HRC Law has achieved impressive growth from a standing start so we are very optimistic about our potential as a combined force.

“Having worked closely with Simon in the past, this acquisition is a perfect cultural fit for both practices and will add significant expertise to our already award-winning employment practice. The UK recruitment sector grew to more than £35bn last year and is an area in which we are keen to strengthen.

“The specialist knowledge within HRC will complement our existing practice and enhance the breadth of services we can offer to clients, both existing and new. We look forward to welcoming Simon, his team and HRC’s clients as they become part of the Brabners family and as we work together to achieve our combined growth aspirations.”

Simon Whitehead, HRC Law founder and now partner at Brabners, said: “We have developed an exceptional client base over the last six years, building partnerships with clients who value our specific legal expertise along with the supportive, entrepreneurial culture that has set us apart from other firms. There’s a huge opportunity within the recruitment sector as it faces challenges and opportunities from changes such as the Good Work Plan, workforce challenges from Brexit and the extension of IR35.

“Returning to Brabners certainly feels like a homecoming and provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance our offer to our clients, in an environment where each firm’s approach, outlook and values are aligned.”

HRC Law’s employees have relocated from the firm’s base on Exchange Street to Brabners’ Manchester office on King Street.

Brabners, which has more than 380 staff, also has offices in Liverpool and Preston.

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