Farleys Fuels Growth with Alker Ball Healds Solicitors Acquisition
Deal News | Apr 10, 2025 | EIN

Farleys, a member of the rapidly expanding legal services group Lawfront, has widened its presence in the North West of England by acquiring Wigan-based Alker Ball Healds Solicitors (ABH). The acquisition will allow ABH to continue operating under its own name while retaining its staff, thus expanding Farleys' comprehensive legal services in the region. This move is the second acquisition by Farleys since joining Lawfront in 2022, further enhancing its regional footprint. Established in 2014 from a merger of two historic Wigan law firms, ABH is well-regarded for its legal expertise across various domains, including commercial litigation and private client services. Daniel Draper, Managing Partner at Farleys, considers the acquisition an excellent opportunity for further expansion and recruitment within the local community. ABH's leadership, including Gary Shepherd and Keith Whitehead, is optimistic about the increased resources and brand strength gained through this deal. Neil Lloyd, CEO of Lawfront, affirmed his commitment to investing in regional firms like Farleys to drive growth initiatives.
Sectors
- Legal Services
Geography
- United Kingdom – The acquisition takes place in the North West of England, specifically involving the town of Wigan and the broader Greater Manchester area.
Industry
- Legal Services – The article is focused on the acquisition of a law firm and its integration into a larger legal services group, Lawfront.
Financials
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Farleys | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | A member of the Lawfront legal services group, focused on regional expansion. |
Alker Ball Healds Solicitors (ABH) | Target Company | Company | A Wigan-based law firm known for its expertise in commercial litigation and private client services. |
Lawfront | Parent Company of Farleys | Company | A fast-growing legal services group backing regional firms for expansion. |
Daniel Draper | Managing Partner at Farleys | Person | Spokesperson commenting on the strategic goals of the acquisition. |
Gary Shepherd | Joint Managing Director at ABH | Person | Spokesperson highlighting the cultural fit and resource benefits of the acquisition. |
Keith Whitehead | Joint Managing Director at ABH | Person | Spokesperson focused on growth and community commitment post-acquisition. |
Neil Lloyd | CEO of Lawfront | Person | Comments on the strategic growth and investment strategy of Lawfront. |