South East legal services business Knights has further strengthened its regional presence with the acquisition of IBB Law LLP for an initial £21 million.
The acquisition will bring 140 lawyers to Knights – joining a team of more than 1,100 professionals delivering premium legal services to businesses and private clients from 26 locations nationwide.
IBB, which reported revenue of £23 million in 2024, has built a strong reputation in the Thames Valley area. The business has strong corporate, real estate and private wealth teams across its offices in Ascot, Beaconsfield, Reading and Uxbridge.
The acquisition significantly increases Knights’ presence in the South East, complementing the reputation of Knights’ teams in nearby Newbury, Oxford and Weybridge.
David Beech, CEO of Knights, said: “We are delighted to welcome the high-quality IBB team to Knights, significantly increasing our scale in the South East.
“Their premium corporate, real estate and private wealth services, culture and operational model are an excellent fit, and we are confident that the acquisition will provide a strong platform for organic growth in the region.”
In addition to corporate, real estate and private wealth expertise, which will bolster Knights’ already strong team nationwide, IBB boasts other specialist teams, including in franchising.
For IBB’s clients, the acquisition will offer access to specialists across the UK’s largest regional legal services business, helping them to tackle any challenge or opportunity.
Joanna DeBiase, managing partner of IBB, said: “We are excited about joining Knights at a time of structural change in our industry, where being part of a business of scale with a premium, national reputation is ever more important for all of our stakeholders, allowing us to provide broader services to our clients, strong career opportunities for our people, and to capitalise on our momentum, with the benefit of strong central support.
“We look forward to working closely with the team to unlock the significant market opportunities in the South East as part of the larger group.”
The total value of the acquisition is £30 million. This comprises an initial £21 million and an additional £9m paid in three annual instalments subject to conditions. Completion is expected to take place on 4 April.
