Brabners plots growth push with London launch

Brabners is making its most ambitious move yet by opening a London office, marking the Liverpool-headquartered firm’s formal entry into the City market.

The regional firm, which has historically focused on Manchester and Liverpool and expanded into Leeds three years ago, will open a permanent office on Cannon Street in the middle of the year.

The London office will be led by two new partner hires. Corporate partner Stuart Hatcher joins from Forsters, bringing experience advising privately owned businesses and a profile in the sports sector as a board member of Premier League club Brentford FC. Litigation partner Russell Strong joins from Gunnercooke.

They will work alongside existing London-based real estate and tax partners Ross Shine and Euri Yoon, giving Brabners a core senior team on the ground from launch.

A step up in ambition

The City move follows a period of strong financial performance for the firm. Brabners’ most recently filed accounts showed revenue of £54 million, while the firm has since announced FY25 revenue of £60 million - an 11% year-on-year increase.

Chief executive Robert White said the London opening marked the next phase of the firm’s development, adding that surpassing £60 million in revenue provided “a fantastic springboard” for further expansion while maintaining the firm’s independence.

Managing partner Nik White described the launch as a “landmark moment”, positioning the London office as a way to deepen client relationships while staying true to the firm’s culture and values.

From regional to national

Brabners is a full-service commercial firm with a significant private client practice, employing close to 600 people across its existing offices. Its Leeds launch in 2022 was the first step beyond its North West heartland.