Personal injury law firm completes double acquisition boosting headcount to 650

Personal injury law firm, Express Solicitors, has made two acquisitions in its bid to become the pre-eminent provider in its field.

Wythenshawe-based Express Solicitors has snapped up Greater Manchester firms Amelans Solicitors and Jefferies Solicitors, for an undisclosed sum.

Around 20 and 50 staff, respectively, will transfer over from the firms, taking the Express headcount to around 650.

Express says it is in the market for more acquisitions. Its new headquarters can cater for up to 1,000 staff.

Michael Jefferies, who founded the firm 25 years ago, said: “I am personally at a stage in my career where I’m looking to move onto other projects. We have been incredibly careful when selecting a firm to look after our staff, and the firm’s clients. Finding a firm with the same ethos was a vital factor.”

Andrew Twambley, senior partner at Amelans, and finance partner, Denise Wilkinson, will join Express as consultants.

Express managing partner, James Maxey, said: “We have worked closely with Amelans Solicitors for many years and they are very local and dear to us, being based in Didsbury. They are a great firm with a trailblazing reputation, with lawyers who, like us, are brave enough to challenge the law and create new standards.”

In accounts filed at Companies House for the year to August 31, 2022, Express revealed turnover of £30.369m, up from £27.042m the previous year.

Pre-tax profits were £1.966m, compared with £2.953m in 2021.

Hurst Corporate Finance duo Lauren Roberts and Danielle Tierney advised the shareholders of Jefferies Solicitors on the sale to Express Solicitors.

Lauren, an associate director at Hurst Corporate Finance, said: “It was a pleasure working with Michael Jefferies and Monina Ramsden at Jefferies on the transaction, and we wish them all the best as part of Express Solicitors.”