Firm hire: Spire Solicitors LLP

Spire Solicitors LLP is showing continued growth from its original formation in 2013, by appointing a new partner within its corporate and commercial Team in Norwich.

Matthew Downing joins Spire having led the corporate and commercial team in Cambridge at one of the region’s largest law firms. He brings with him a wealth of experience in advising clients through corporate finance transactions, typically in respect of selling their business or acquiring new businesses. Matthew has lots of experience in advising in respect of owner managed and family businesses. He has a particular interest in the manufacturing sector and has advised numerous clients in this and various other sectors in recent years.

Matthew has a good understanding of the franchise sector and advising on the sale or acquisition of existing franchise businesses. In addition, Matthew also advises regularly on general commercial contract and shareholder arrangements.

Following his appointment, Matthew commented: ’I am delighted to be joining Spire and to be back in Norwich where I have spent most of my legal career. It is an exciting time for the firm which is experiencing strong growth across all areas of its services and is now seeing the benefits of key investments in the business and its infrastructure in recent years’.

Roger Margand, head of the corporate and commercial team at Spire added ’We are really pleased to have Matthew join us. He brings with him heaps of corporate experience which will only strengthen our existing corporate and commercial offering’.

After the successful merger of Hood Vores & Allwood Solicitors, Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Solicitors and Overbury Steward & Eaton Solicitors in 2013, Spire now represents one of the largest, and most progressive legal firms in Norfolk, with a presence of 8 offices across the county and over 150 employees. With this latest addition and further growth plans, Spire will only reach new levels, as it looks to tailor its offerings further for the best and most comprehensive offering in the local market place.

James Knight, CEO and partner commented: ’This is an exciting time for all involved in the business. As a united team, we’ve grown from strength-to-strength, solidifying our service offering, as well as increasing the number of strategic partners and specialist staff joining the business, to which, I am delighted Matthew is joining our team and vision’.

James continued: ‘The next months are the most exciting for us as with the organic growth attained since 2013, we’re able to continue this with the acquisition of our core team members to continue to flourish in their fields of expertise, complementing our business and enhancing our commitment to Norfolk’.