Knights rises to the top with new acquisition

Bondholder Knights Professional Services is in talks to acquire another major regional law-firm with expected completion in early January.

As part of its ambitious plans for expansion, the legal and professional services firm is set to acquire Darbys Solicitors LLP and once the acquisition has completed Knights will reach a combined turnover of £40 million and will employ more than 300 professionals across seven offices, including three of Darbys’ current locations.

The acquisition will establish Knights as one of the largest independent professional services firms in the UK.

David Beech, CEO of Knights Professional Services explained: 'We have been talking to Darbys as part of Knights' expansion plans and culturally we felt this was the perfect fit for both businesses in terms of client services, expertise and geographical coverage. We have a similar ethos in respect of our working practices and our focus on delivering outstanding client service. Knights set an ambition business objective to become a top 100 law firm by 2017 – and with the purchase of Derbys, we have achieved that target a year early. We are proud of the growth that Knights has seen over the past two years in particular – which has seen us open in two new locations, appoint more than 150 new professionals and double our turnover.'

Knights Professional Services expanded into Derby in August of this year after meeting with the Invest in Derby team at the popular embassy breakfast event at MIPIM in Cannes.