North law firms Ward Hadaway and The Endeavour Partnership LLP have confirmed they are in talks over a potential merger.
The managing partner of Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, says the two combined business have the potential to create “a stronger, more diverse business” for its clients, as he revealed the firms are currently in discussions. The companies said the move follows a close working relationship over many years, and that exploration of a more official partnership reflects both firms’ shared vision and “commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering enhanced value to clients and stakeholders”.
They have confirmed they are conducting due diligence and evaluating how a combined entity could create opportunities for growth and an expanded range of legal services for their respective clients.
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Steven Petrie, managing partner of Ward Hadaway LLP, said: “This is an exciting time for both firms. By joining forces, we have the potential to expand both our wider legal offering within the North East legal market and beyond and create a stronger, more diverse business to serve our clients even better.”
Based in Thornaby, commercial law firm The Endeavour Partnership LLP was established in 2002 and has a team of around 29 solicitors based in a newly renovated building, Tobias House, on Teesdale Business Park.
Lee Bramley, managing partner at the Endeavour Partnership LLP said: “The possibility of combining our strengths represents an incredible opportunity. Together, we can achieve scale that will drive innovation and deliver even greater value to our people and our clients.”
In a joint statement the firms said that, as discussions progress, both remain committed to transparency and collaboration and that updates will be shared as and when appropriate. Until then, both firms will continue to operate independently.
News of the proposed merger comes a few weeks after Ward Hadaway, which now employs more than 500 people, published accounts showing a 7% increase in revenue to £48.1m in the year to the end of April 2024. The firm has previously talked of its ambition to top £100m turnover within 10 years.
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When the accounts were published Mr Petrie reaffirmed those plans, adding: “These financial results from 2023-24 represent a really strong foundation on which to build, as we strive to realise our ambitious long-term growth plans, remaining independent and increasing our turnover by over 50% in the next five years and achieving £100m by 2034.
“It’s really encouraging to see the positive impact our strategic investments are already having on our business, including our ability to attract, recruit, retain and engage excellent people to the firm.”