Yorkshire spree: Long-established firms snapped up in merger deals

One of Yorkshire’s best-known firms is set to disappear after being acquired by a fast-expanding national business. Flint Bishop revealed today that it had exchanged contracts to buy the entire business of Lupton Fawcett, with the deal set to go through at the end of this month.

Neither firm has said whether any jobs will be lost as a result of the merger: the combined firm will have more than 420 staff and is projected to generate more than £40m annual turnover.

Flint Bishop already operates in Derby, Birmingham, Leeds and Swansea, while Lupton Fawcett has offices in Leeds, Sheffield and York. All will all be retained. The firm said the acquisition will trigger a recruitment drive across Yorkshire to expand its teams and capabilities.

Qamer Ghafoor, chief executive of Flint Bishop, said: ‘Our latest acquisition is a transformative step in our growth journey, enhancing our capabilities, broadening our geographic reach, and allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients. Lupton Fawcett has a proud heritage and an outstanding reputation, and we look forward to welcoming our talented new colleagues in Leeds, Sheffield, and York, supporting them with exciting career and development opportunities.’

Ghafoor added that talks over further acquisitions are already underway, as the firm targets being in the top-100 UK law firms by the end of next year.

According to figures revealed today, in 2024/25 Flint Bishop’s revenue grew by 53% to £31.9m. In  2023/24, the most recent for which full accounts have been published, revenue rose marginally but pre-tax profit fell 14% to £5.05m.

Lupton Fawcett can trace its roots to 1895 and is a full-service firm employing 126 people as of April last year.  In 2023/24, the firm’s turnover fell by 17% to around £10m while profit before members’ remuneration plummeted by 62% to £1.12m. Net assets halved to £1.8m while cash reserves fell from £660,000 to £161,000.

Speaking today, Lupton Fawcett managing partner James Richardson said: ‘This move ensures continuity and stability for our existing clients, while creating considerable opportunities for growth in Yorkshire and across the wider north of England as part of a truly national law firm.’

Meanwhile, national firm Sills & Betteridge Solicitors has pledged to create a ‘Sheffield powerhouse’ after agreeing a merger with Bell & Buxton Solicitors.

Sills & Betteridge already has 16 offices across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the East Midlands and took on a Sheffield presence in 2021 when it acquired Rawson Family Law. The expanded firm will have an turnover of more than £25m and be known initially as Sills & Betteridge incorporating Bell & Buxton. The Bell & Buxton team will remain at their Telegraph House base for the foreseeable future.

Matthew Rodgers, partner of Bell & Buxton Solicitors, said: ‘This merger represents a significant step for both firms as we respond to the changing legal landscape and the evolving needs of our clients. By coming together, we can offer a wider range of services while maintaining the trusted, personal relationships that both firms have built with generations of clients.’