Partners complete MBO of Harrison Drury
John Chesworth has sold the business to a group of partners led by the law firm’s head of property and construction Simon England.
Fellow partners Nick Booth, Hannah Hughes, Malcolm Ireland, Rick Life, and Mark Traynor made up the management team that has bought Preston-headquartered Harrison Drury.
England, who is a current shareholder, will assume the role of managing partner, with current majority shareholder and executive chairman Chesworth becoming senior partner and supporting the new ownership team.
Chesworth acquired Harrison Drury in in 2007 from Eddie Starkie. Since then, the firm has grown from having a single office in Preston to employing 190 staff across an additional seven in Clitheroe, Garstang, Kendal, Lancaster, Lytham, Manchester, and Southport.
Simon England, managing partner, said: “Independence is at the heart of who we are. Retaining this ensures we can uphold our commitment to being a truly people-centred organisation. This enables our lawyers to enjoy the freedom of serving our clients – owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals – the way they know best.
“The firm has embarked on a remarkable journey under John’s leadership, thriving in an intensely competitive legal marketplace and earning a reputation as a leading employer. This reputation attracted me to the firm in 2013, as it did for the exceptional professionals who work across all our teams and offices.”
He added: “Since becoming a shareholder in 2014, John and I have focussed on recruiting, developing and retaining talented people who share our values. Today, we’re proud to have a hugely talented and aligned ownership team and partner group, well prepared to guide the firm into an exciting new chapter.”
Chesworth said the company’s ability to attract talent had been key to its success in recent years.
“From the very beginning, my vision for Harrison Drury was to establish it as a leading regional law firm in the SME market,” he said.
“Central to this vision has been the focus on attracting, growing and retaining outstanding people, something that has led to the emergence of leaders across the business. I am incredibly proud to see some of those who have been integral to our success now poised to lead the firm into an exciting new era.”
