Firms with roots in the north west target national expansion

Two firms with their roots in the north west have announced plans to start taking operations nationally.

Liverpool-based MSB Solicitors said today it will open offices in Chester and Birmingham as it continued on what it called an ‘exceptional growth trajectory’.

The firm, which has doubled its headcount in six years to 220, now plans to recruit solicitors, paralegals and trainees to work in these new bases.

‘We will never forget our roots which are firmly based in Liverpool,’ said managing partner Emma Carey. ‘But we are excited to expand nationally and for the great opportunities new cities bring.’

MSB was established in 1988 and is now a full-service law firm. In its accounts for the year ended February 2023, the business reported largely unchanged turnover of £9.45m and profit before tax down from £1.7m to £1.5m.

Meanwhile, Manchester firm Slater Heelis has announced plans to serve clients in six new locations: central London, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Preston and York.

The new locations operate on an appointment-only basis with clients needing to prearrange any visits to serviced offices. The firm’s lawyers can have access to space from which to work or meetings rooms to talk with clients privately. 

‘We are more accessible than ever to current and prospective clients and we won’t stop there,’ said managing partner Chris Bishop.

‘As we look to the future, we plan to continue our expansion, demonstrating our commitment to building client relationships and providing the best advice possible by identifying even more locations to serve our and clients.’

In 2023, the firm marked its 250^th anniversary and it now employs more than 200 staff. Turnover rose to £17.1m in the year ended 31 March 2023 and the firm has targeted reaching £20m annual turnover within the next three years. Profit before tax more than doubled to £1.76m during 2022/23.

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