Yorkshire firm Lupton Fawcett, which has had a presence in the county since 1895, has been acquired by Flint Bishop as part of the latter’s ‘ambitious growth strategy’.
The transaction, due to complete at the end of September, will see Flint Bishop acquire the business and assets of the Yorkshire-based firm, enhancing its capabilities across commercial, employment, dispute resolution and litigation, property, and private client services. New specialisms including criminal and regulatory, ecclesiastical law, and intellectual property will also be added to Flint Bishop’s offering as a result of the deal.
All three Lupton Fawcett offices – in Leeds, Sheffield and York – will be retained, adding to Flint Bishop’s headquarters in Derby and existing offices in Birmingham, Leeds and Swansea. The firm will employ over 420 staff and is projected to generate annual turnover in excess of £40 million.
As part of the transaction, Flint Bishop has made significant investment in IT, technology and innovation and will launch a major recruitment drive for top legal talent across Leeds, Sheffield and York.
In 2024/25, Flint Bishop’s experienced a record-breaking financial year with revenue growth of 53% year-on-year to £31.9 million. With the addition of Lupton Fawcett’s people, assets and client portfolio, the firm aims to enter UK’s Top 100 firms by 2026.
Qamer Ghafoor, chief executive of Flint Bishop, commented:
“Our latest acquisition is a transformative step in our growth journey, enhancing our capabilities, broadening our geographic reach, and allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients. Lupton Fawcett has a proud heritage and an outstanding reputation, and we look forward to welcoming our talented new colleagues in Leeds, Sheffield, and York, supporting them with exciting career and development opportunities.
“The acquisition also creates significant opportunities for growth across Leeds, Sheffield, and York, where we will be actively recruiting to strengthen our presence in the north of England. With further strategic acquisitions in the pipeline and active discussions already underway, we remain firmly committed to strengthening our position as a leading, innovative, and client-focused national law firm.”
James Richardson, managing partner of Lupton Fawcett, said:
“Joining Flint Bishop represents an exciting new chapter for both our people and our clients. The cultural alignment and shared commitment to excellence made this a natural fit. This move ensures continuity and stability for our existing clients, while creating considerable opportunities for growth in Yorkshire and across the wider north of England as part of a truly national law firm.”
