Liverpool accountancy practice BWMacfarlane has helped secure the significant acquisition of Lees Solicitors LLP by The Jackson Canter Group this month.

The Jackson Canter Group – one of the North West’s fastest growing law firms – has acquired Lees Solicitors as part of a major move towards becoming one of the region’s largest providers of legal services. Peter Taaffe, managing partner at BWMacfarlane provided corporate finance services to the Jackson Canter Group in the acquisition working with his partners to provide due diligence and taxation advice.

The deal almost doubles the firm’s headcount to over 280 and marks the largest acquisition to date for the Jackson Canter Group, which is pursuing a programme of rapid expansion coupled with healthy organic growth across its current Liverpool and Manchester offices.

Andrew Holroyd CBE, Executive Chairman at the Jackson Canter Group, said:

“This is a momentous time for the firm – and there’s no doubt Lees was a natural choice to support our continued growth. The acquisition of Lees will enhance our network and ability to service even more individuals and businesses throughout the North West and beyond.

“We have developed a strong working relationship with BWMacfarlane and trust Peter Taaffe to draw on his experience of similar deals to help guide us through what can be a complex transaction to a successful completion. We are very grateful for his help.”

Peter Taaffe is experienced in providing practical commercial advice to clients from a range of sectors representing the length and breadth of the local and regional business community. His focus is on improved business performance and enhanced value and he has worked with a number of clients across the areas of company structure, sales and re-sale, corporate financing and growth strategies.

Peter says:

“It was a pleasure to work with Jackson Canter on the acquisition of Lees Solicitors. We have had the privilege of working with the Jackson Canter Group for a number of years and I am delighted to have been able to assist them through this process, which is a major milestone for them.

“At BWMacfarlane, we try to do things a little differently when helping firms through acquisitions, mergers and business growth strategies and processes. As well as a wide range of financial and accountancy services, we think outside the box to help our clients drive their businesses forward. Jackson Canter are a forward thinking firm, as is evidenced by their vision to create a new force in the North West legal sector. We wish them every success.”

BWMacfarlane can assist across all areas of corporate finance, from due diligence reporting and raising finance through to support in valuation negotiations. They have developed a wealth of contacts and close relationships with banks and venture capital houses and work closely with specialist corporate finance firms in order to offer a full suite of services to help businesses.

For more information, visit http://www.bwm.co.uk/business-consultancy/ or call 0151 236 1494.