First foray into North West for Knights as it snaps up Hill Dickinson’s Chester office

AMBITIOUS North Staffordshire law firm Knight Solicitors has taken on four partners and 20 staff through the acquisition of rival Hill Dickinson’s Chester office.

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 from Staffordshire-based planning practice John Rose Associates.

It has ambitions to double its turnover in the next three years and of becoming a top 100 law firm.

At the time he made his investment in Knights last June, 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, commercial property partners Robin Jones and Brent Williams and private client partner Ian Sydenham as part of the Hill Dickinson deal.

Commenting on the acquisition, David Beech, managing partner of Knights Solicitors, said: “It is fantastic to mark our first year anniversary of private equity investment with the acquisition of the Chester office of such a well-respected firm. 

“The Chester office of Hill Dickinson provides the full range of legal services and is a natural fit for Knights as we expand our footprint throughout the UK.

“This investment, together with the other major successes we’ve enjoyed in the past 12 months, puts us in a very strong position to realise our ambitions.”          

Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson said the move was part of a revised strategy to focus on and grow its international profile. 

Earlier this year the firm launched a strategic review of its business and this disposal is part of that process.