Merger firms allowed to keep their names

A firm with offices in Birmingham and Manchester is pushing on with national expansion plans after completing a merger.

Anthony Collins Solicitors has joined forces with Cheshire practice Jobling Gowler to increase its private client service. The business now employs more than 300 people and has ambitions to be what it calls the ‘market leading national social purpose firm’.

Jobling Gowler will continue to trade under its existing name from its base in Macclesfield, led by managing partner Emily Raw, with the firm’s team becoming an extension of ACS.

Peter Hubbard, senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: ‘Jobling Gowler’s mission statement aligns perfectly with our own social purpose to improve lives, communities and society, so the union of our two organisations feels like a natural next step for us all in achieving our aims. The merger is also a real milestone for Anthony Collins Solicitors, one that reflects our national growth ambitions in-line with our 2022-25 strategy.’ 

Anthony Collins Solicitors performed strongly during the pandemic, reporting that profits increased by 15% to £5.4m in the 2020/21. Following the initial lockdown, all staff agreed to take a 10% pay cut, but full salaries were restored by November 2020 and the balance repaid after the end of the financial year. Staff were also paid a 5% bonus following the 2020/21 results.

Meanwhile, fast-growing consolidator Metamorph Group has acquired the Bedfordshire firm Knowles Benning. The sold firm, which has three offices, specialises in residential conveyancing, commercial property, family, care, employment, road traffic, personal injury and wills and probate. It will continue to trade under the same name. The Metamorph group now consists of 11 firms across England.