Knights expands into Wales with Le Gros deal

Knights grows its regional footprint in Wales by acquiring Le Gros Solicitors in Cardiff, adding six fee earners to its property practice.

Knights expands into Wales with Le Gros Solicitors deal

Knights Group Holdings plc has extended its reach into Wales by buying Le Gros Solicitors of Cardiff. Six fee earners will move across after completion to join Knights’ commercial and residential property practice. The deal did not require a London Stock Exchange disclosure and continues Knights’ pattern of quiet regional growth. Le Gros, founded by Claudia Le Gros in 2011, had 15 staff for the year to June 30 2024, with cash reserves of £332,000 and net assets of £640,000, up 13% from the previous year. Knights has already added four Cardiff based lawyers to form a local team.

This acquisition marks Knights’ first entry into Wales and fills a gap in its national coverage. Since April, Knights has announced other regional takeovers, including IBB Law in the south east for up to £30 million, Birkett Long in Essex for around £16.6 million, and Rix & Kay Solicitors with undisclosed terms. Shares rose modestly after the announcement, reflecting investor tolerance for consolidation moves. Le Gros founder Claudia Le Gros welcomed the change, saying it is time to close one chapter and begin another, while Knights chief executive David Beech praised the joining team for bringing South Wales experience to the national property practice.

The deal illustrates a broader trend in professional services where mid market law firms grow by acquiring regional specialists to build scale and cross‑border capability. Knights has pursued a steady tuck‑in strategy that expands its geographic footprint while keeping disclosure light. The move into Wales also strengthens the firm’s property practice with South Wales expertise, aligning with a national service model.

Integration risk exists, however. Merging teams from a smaller firm into a larger group can test culture and client relationships if not managed carefully. The key will be retaining fee earners and maintaining service levels. In the long run, the market will judge whether these acquisitions deliver stronger profitability or simply broaden Knights’ footprint in a competitive landscape.

Highlights

The Wales move is a test of Knights’ ability to scale without losing local service quality.