Hill Dickinson sells Chester office

HILL Dickinson has sold its Chester office to Midlands firm Knights, which is backed by former Dragons Den investor James Caan.

North Staffs-based Knight Solicitors has taken on four partners and 20 staff through the acquisition.

Earlier this year Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson launched a strategic review of its business and this disposal is part of that process.

Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Knights – which has alternative business structure (ABS) status – is backed by former Dragons’ Den investor James Caan’s private equity house Hamilton Bradshaw.

The firm, which also has a base in Cheltenham, is in expansionary mood. Earlier this month it appointed a team of six town planners to its real estate team. It has ambitions to become a UK top 20 law firm via strategic acquisitions.

At the time he made his investment in Knights 13 months ago, Mr Caan said: “This is a very exciting business for HB to invest in.

“I am very focused on people-based businesses and Knights stood out as a business with a highly talented team.”

Knights will be joined by corporate partner Sally Wightman and commercial property partner Robin Jones as part of the Hill Dickinson deal.

The other two partners moving across have not yet been named.
Hill Dickinson said the move was part of a revised strategy to focus on and grow its international profile.

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