Vincents eyes conveyancing growth

Lancashire law firm Vincents Solicitors has appointed Talitha Murphy, head of the Longridge office, as head of the conveyancing team to develop that side of the business.

Murphy has been with the firm for almost five years. Co-ordinating conveyancing work across the business, she will be responsible for overseeing a recruitment drive to bring in a team of junior conveyancers to be trained internally.

Vincents said the hiring of more staff was a response to a rise in conveyancing work which is up 49% on the same time last year.

Murphy said: "In the North West the housing recovery is well underway and leading to huge demand for qualified conveyancers to support the growth. It has been a gradual, sustainable rise, with pre-recession prices and volume not too far off.

"The biggest challenge the industry faces is getting enough trained and experienced staff to cover the workload. As the market gears back up, raising confidence that the market is back and busy will be important for recruitment. At Vincents, we've taken the option to train our own, with paralegals, trainees and law graduates working with experienced conveyancers, and to this end have launched a programme of recruitment."

Headquartered at Winckley Square in Preston, Vincents Solicitors has six regional offices in Garstang, Longridge, Knott End, Penwortham, Colne and Lytham. Vincents saw a 20% growth in turnover in 2013 to more £4m.