The Welsh government has hinted that more grants are in the pipeline to help law firms, after a conveyancing hub in Bridgend was given a £100,000 grant.

The Welsh government announced that it has granted South Wales firm Howells Solicitors £100,000 from its economic growth fund to create 13 new jobs at the specialist centre.

A spokesperson for the government said that, although the fund is now closed for applications, more grants will follow.

Cardiff-headquartered Howells Solicitors, serving clients across England and Wales, which has branches across South Wales, is aiming to become one of the UK’s top-five conveyancing firms. It said that the Bridgend hub (pictured, with Alun Rosser, branch manager) will have ‘a strong focus on the English market’ as well as serving local clients. 

Mark Hobbs, Howells’ managing director, said: ‘This is a great opportunity to build on our success, expand into the wider UK market and offer a high-quality, competitively priced service to customers and partner organisations in England. Support from the Welsh government has enabled us to take immediate advantage of the emerging market opportunities and to expand and create jobs in Wales which is great news.’

This is the second investment in legal services firms in recent weeks. Last month, the Welsh government announced a £325,000 grant to help virtual firm Carbon Law Partners open a headquarters in Cardiff.

Welsh economy Minister Edwina Hart said: ‘Legal services are a key component of the financial and professional services sector – one of our priority economic sectors that is expanding rapidly. The growth of the legal sector in Wales is high on the Welsh government’s agenda and I am pleased the economic growth fund is supporting the expansion of Howells Solicitors, creating new jobs and opening up new market opportunities across the UK.’