One of the UK’s best mid-sized companies to work for headquartered in Preston changes hands

John Chesworth and Simon England of Harrison Drury pictured in Winckley Square

A Preston headquartered firm ranked as one of the UK’s top companies to work for has been sold.

Harrison Drury is a major employer in the city and is based in Winckley Square.

A management buyout has taken place as six members of its management team now own the legal firm.

The solicitors was acquired by John Chesworth in 2007 and has grown from a firm employing 12 staff to now having 190 employees across sites in Clitheroe, Garstang, Kendal, Lancaster, Lytham, Manchester, Preston and Southport.

Chesworth is due to stay involved in a senior partner role but day-to-day running is being led by current shareholder Simon England who becomes managing partner.

His fellow directors will be Nick Booth, Hannah Hughes, Malcolm Ireland, Rick Life and Mark Traynor.

In 2024, the firm was named 28th in the UK’s top 100 Best Mid-sized Companies to Work For, also placing it in the top five for UK mid-sized law firms.

Mr England, managing partner, said: “Independence is at the heart of who we are. Retaining this ensures we can uphold our commitment to being a truly people-centred organisation. This enables our lawyers to enjoy the freedom of serving our clients – owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals – the way they know best.

“The firm has embarked on a remarkable journey under John’s leadership, thriving in an intensely competitive legal marketplace and earning a reputation as a leading employer. This reputation attracted me to the firm in 2013, as it did for the exceptional professionals who work across all our teams and offices.

“Since becoming a shareholder in 2014, John and I have focussed on recruiting, developing and retaining talented people who share our values. Today, we’re proud to have a hugely talented and aligned ownership team and partner group, well prepared to guide the firm into an exciting new chapter.”

Last year Harrison Drury had 42 solicitors ranked in the prestigious national Legal 500 guide. The firm also opened its Manchester office and expanded into Southport.

Mr Chesworth is expected to dedicate more time to his role as chairman of the Preston Partnership – a business and lobbying group for the city of Preston – and also as chairman of Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club based in Fulwood a role he took on last year.

He said: “From the very beginning, my vision for Harrison Drury was to establish it as a leading regional law firm in the SME market. Central to this vision has been the focus on attracting, growing and retaining outstanding people, something that has led to the emergence of leaders across the business. I am incredibly proud to see some of those who have been integral to our success now poised to lead the firm into an exciting new era.

“Across the firm, we are united by a shared commitment to our ethos of building teams of good people, keeping them engaged and enabling them to deliver excellent client service, while making a positive impact in our communities.

“Since 2007, we’ve navigated an extraordinary period of change, from the global financial crisis and Brexit to the pandemic and technological transformation, not to mention six changes in prime minister.

“Through it all, our culture has been the bedrock of our success, driving positive growth, staying true to our core values and supporting our clients, partners and communities and that will continue to be the case.”

Mark Traynor, who joined Harrison Drury in late 2023 to head up the firm’s corporate team, added: “In an active legal marketplace with lots of consolidation, we wanted to bring through our own ownership team and find the new custodians of the firm who will protect and enhance its established values and mission, and lead from the front.

“The new ownership team brings the expertise and skillset needed to continue driving sustainable growth while delivering exceptional results for our clients and our people. We take pride in being a firm that creates careers, and this commitment will remain a cornerstone of our future strategy.”

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