Cumbria firm Bendles continues its expansion with the acquisition of Atkinson Ritson.
The acquisition follows Bendles’ merger with Gaynham, King & Mellor earlier this year, in a deal which saw Bendles’ Cumbria presence expand from Carlisle, Wigton and Whitehaven to Penrith, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen.
The acquisition of Atkinson Ritson – itself the result of a three-firm merger (Atkinson & North, Hetherington Ritson & Company and Saul & Lightfoot) – will take Bendles’ headcount to 100, including all 20 current employees of Atkinson Ritson.
John Stevenson, managing partner at Bendles, said: “We are delighted with this agreement with Atkinson Ritson. It continues our development and adds real expertise and experience to the firm.
“Atkinson Ritson is a well-respected and established firm with a similar outlook to our own. We now have increased strength in depth across a larger geographical footprint which we believe is beneficial to our clients. This is an exciting time for Bendles and we see continued growth for the firm over the coming months and years.
“It will be business as usual for both firms and there will be no disruption to the services we provide and existing relationships, contacts and day‑to‑day work will continue as before, with the same people delivering the same high standard of advice and support.”
Kate Wheeler, director at Atkinson Ritson, said “We are delighted by the coming together of two long-established firms and look forward to the continuation of excellent service to our clients.”
Bendles, established over 200 years ago, offers a wide range of personal and business law specialisms. The Atkinson Ritson team will add family law, residential property and wills, trusts and estates to the firm’s services.
The acquisition will complete on 1st September.
