Firm in Baltic drive

Cheltenham-based BPE has formalised its association with leading Estonian firm HETA, with the aim of establishing a presence in other Baltic states.

The two firms began working together informally six years ago, but with Estonia's impending accession to the European Union (EU) in 2004, they have strengthened their partnership to expand into Latvia and, in the near future, Lithuania.

John Beevor, a partner at BPE (Bretherton Price Elgoods as was) and UK honorary consul to Estonia, said: 'We are primarily working with HETA on delivering a uniform quality of service to meet client expectation.

With that we are looking to expand and are examining possibilities in Latvia's capital Riga and Lithuania.'

Mr Beevor is travelling to Latvia, which is set to join the EU in the round after Estonia, and then Lithuania in two weeks where he will meet with 'parties potentially interested in an association'.

He said offering a single route to all Baltic states, helped by the cultural understanding provided by HETA, would be of great benefit to the firm's clients which deal in the area - including the Timber Trades Federation.

Mr Beevor said the new association with HETA has also formalised work referrals and lawyer exchanges between the firms.

'We are also talking to a number of universities about the possibility of tying in visits of Estonian lawyers from HETA with the completion of a masters degree,' he said.

Andrew Towler