Gilson Gray, a Scottish legal firm, has strategically expanded into the English market by acquiring PCM Solicitors in London.
- This acquisition marks a significant step in Gilson Gray’s plan to establish a foothold in lucrative markets beyond Scotland.
- PCM Solicitors, with a focus on family and property law, will retain all staff under the new ownership.
- The expansion into England follows Gilson Gray’s earlier ventures, including the acquisition of Home Property Lawyers in Lincoln.
- Meanwhile, other regional acquisitions highlight the dynamic movements within the UK legal sector.
Scottish law firm Gilson Gray has taken a major step in its strategic growth by acquiring PCM Solicitors, a well-regarded London-based firm specialising in family and property law. This acquisition is part of Gilson Gray’s wider initiative to expand its presence in England, targeting the City of London as a key market. Notably, the acquisition ensures the retention of all five PCM staff members, reflecting a commitment to leveraging existing expertise while enhancing their service offerings in the area.
The move to bring PCM under its wing is not Gilson Gray’s first foray into the English market. In 2022, the firm acquired Home Property Lawyers in Lincoln, marking the beginning of its expansion strategy south of Scotland. This earlier deal was seen as a foundational step, establishing Gilson Gray’s English operations that would later expand to include PCM Solicitors.
Gilson Gray has not only set its sights on London but aims to further consolidate its position by recruiting a head of operations in the capital. The firm’s chair and managing partner, Glen Gilson, emphasised the importance of tapping into the most lucrative markets and accessing diverse talent pools. He noted, “London represents an important strategic development for the business, and we expect to create further presence in other cities in due course.”
Paul Critchley, the founder of PCM in 2009, expressed confidence in the alignment of values and vision between the two firms. He highlighted Gilson Gray’s growth plans and the comprehensive range of services that would become available to PCM clients and staff as significant factors in the acquisition decision. “We were impressed with Gilson Gray’s plans for growth, the range of services it can offer to our clients, and the opportunities it opens up to our staff,” Critchley remarked.
In related developments, Southerns, another law firm, has expanded in Lancashire by acquiring odonnells, enhancing its mental health, Court of Protection, and community care practices. This move will see Southerns strengthening operations in Preston and Burnley, underscoring a broader trend of consolidation and growth within the UK legal industry. Neil Cronin, managing director of Southerns, noted the ease of decision-making in bringing the firms together and praised their combined expertise in advocating for vulnerable clients.
These strategic acquisitions reflect a dynamic period of growth and adaptation within the UK legal sector.
