Knights expands further in the North as acquisition completes

Professional services business Knights has welcomed 28 staff in Carlisle and Lancaster after completing the acquisition of a commercial law firm in the North West.

Founded in 1999, Baines Wilson has established a reputation across the North West with legal experts in commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, employment and real estate.

Twenty-eight of their team joined Knights today following the completion of the acquisition.

The news gives Knights a presence in Carlisle and Lancaster. It takes the business to 25 locations nationwide – soon to be 26 locations with the imminent acquisition of St James’ Square in Newcastle.

Those acquisitions are Knights’ 20th and 21st respectively since its IPO in 2018. In that time, Knights has grown revenues from £35m to £125m and become the UK’s largest commercial legal services business outside London.

Lisa Shacklock, client services director at Knights, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new colleagues to the team. Today’s news gives us a platform from which to pursue further expansion in both Carlisle and Lancaster and to expand across the region. There are exciting times ahead.”

The arrival of new staff complements Knights’ existing northern offices in Chester, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Teesside and York.

James Sheridan, Knights’ Group M&A director, said:  “We are delighted to be entering new markets as we cement our position as the leading legal and professional service business outside London. We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working with them to strengthen our foothold throughout the north of England.”

Sean Logue, partner in Knights’ Carlisle office, said:  “Having grown to become one of the leading firms in the North of England, we are thrilled to be joining Knights, a firm which champions client service and shares our vision. As part of a larger group, offering a wider range of services and scale, we are confident that we will be able to accelerate our growth in Carlisle and the surrounding region.”

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