Knights outlines acquisition targets and 100 new staff

Andrew Pilkington

Derby-based law firm Knights has told TheBusinessDesk.com that it is looking to recruit 100 new staff this year, as well as embark on an aggressive acquisition strategy.

In 2012 Knights became the first professional services business in the UK to attract private equity investment after selling a stake to Hamilton Bradshaw Capital Partners. It employs 300 people in Chester, Cheltenham, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Derby, Oxford, Hale and Colchester, and is a Top 70 law firm.

Andrew Pilkington, office leader at Knights in Derby, said: “We plan to continue the story. We’re focusing on recruiting 100 new staff across the firm in 2016. Around 50 of those will be based in the Oxford office and we will continue to bolster our team in Derby and across the other offices. Now the fastest-growing commercial law firm in the UK, Knights is already looking towards the next move to keep growing and to keep ahead of the changing market. We are also looking to add to the number of niche experts in our team, from franchising to agriculture partners, we’re fast becoming well known for offering a full suite of services to clients.

“We have a long-term plan to invest in more professional services so we can grow our portfolio and deliver an even better service to our clients. Regional accountancy groups, tax specialists and real estate advisory organisations located outside of the major cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, are the main focus, but we remain a flexible and adaptable business that can respond to the needs of the changing market place.”

Earlier this week, Knights poached real estate lawyer Holly Smith from rival law firm Buckles.

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