Listed Gateley buys IP boutique - its 15th acquisition in 10 years

Gateley has acquired Groom Wilkes & Wright (GWW), a Hertfordshire-based IP boutique, for up to £9 million in cash and new shares.

The deal, announced on Monday (1 September), adds six partners, two paralegals and a Netherlands office in Amersfoort to Gateley’s growing network, as the Birmingham-headquartered firm doubles down on intellectual property work.

The acquisition is Gateley’s 15th since listing on AIM more than 10 years ago and will be funded from its £80 million revolving credit facility, announced in April, to support both M&A and organic growth.

Behind the deal

Founded in 2004, GWW advises clients ranging from startups to some of the world’s biggest brand owners on trade mark and design law. The firm generated £4.7 million in revenue and £1.4 million in profit before tax in the year to April 2025.

Once folded into Gateley, GWW will continue to trade under its existing name and will be led by senior partners Trevor Wright and Katy Adams. Gateley said the firm will slot into its business services platform alongside Adamson Jones and Symbiosis IP - the pair of patent and life sciences specialists it picked up for some £2.5 million each in 2022.

Bigger picture

Gateley made history in 2015 as the first UK law firm to go public, taking advantage of reforms under the Legal Services Act 2007 that opened the door to non-lawyer ownership. After the collapse of RBG Holdings earlier this year, only three remain on the London Stock Exchange: Gateley, Keystone and Knights.

Gateley floated at a £100 million valuation. The share price has climbed just 33% since, though consistent dividends have kept total shareholder returns broadly on par with the wider market. Group revenues stood at £179.5 million for the year ended 30 April 2025, with profits before tax of £23.3 million.

What they said

Gateley CEO Rod Waldie said: "I am delighted to welcome Groom Wilkes & Wright to the Group. This strategic acquisition will extend our reach in trade mark work across our consultancy and legal services teams who operate in this field.

"The Acquisition forms part of our acquisitive and organic growth plan to develop a distinct and innovative intangible assets offering that further builds on the extensive expertise we have in the market and where we are already seeing huge potential for further growth."