In a significant development within the legal industry, Stowe Family Law, the largest family law firm in the United Kingdom, has been acquired by an international investment entity, Investcorp, heralding a new chapter for the firm.
Founded in 2017, Stowe Family Law was initially under the ownership of Livingbridge, a private equity firm. Under its stewardship, Stowe experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a modest team of 100 staff across 10 offices to a substantial enterprise employing nearly 400 people in 90 locations. This expansion was facilitated by four acquisitions over the past two years, culminating in a substantial increase in turnover, which exceeded £37 million by March 2024.
Livingbridge described their departure as a ‘successful exit,’ following the firm’s immense growth. In the initial year of ownership, Stowe’s turnover was recorded at £9 million with a profit of £3 million. This figure dramatically increased over the years, reflecting significant strategic advancements and market adjustments.
Investcorp, a global investment powerhouse headquartered in Bahrain, manages over $50 billion in investments globally, far surpassing Livingbridge’s previous investment capability. This acquisition marks Investcorp’s maiden foray into the legal sector, highlighting their confidence in Stowe’s potential.
Investcorp has articulated its commitment to Stowe Family Law’s strategic growth plan, known as ‘Stowe 3.0’. By 2029, the law firm aims to serve over 10,000 clients annually, doubling its current number of 5,000. The firm intends to enhance its services, offering more comprehensive support to families amidst transitional phases.
Ken Fowlie, Executive Chairman at Stowe, expressed optimism regarding the collaboration, aiming to further ‘invest in our business and people to achieve our mission to become the first choice for family law’. Investcorp’s experience in technology-enabled business growth is expected to propel Stowe’s services further using innovative solutions, including the adoption of artificial intelligence to refine customer experience and service quality.
Gilbert Kamieniecky, Head of Private Equity Europe at Investcorp, acknowledged Stowe’s resilience and scalability fuelled by technology, emphasizing their aspiration to make Stowe a leader in the legal field through the implementation of the Stowe 3.0 plan.
Reflecting on the journey, Adam Holloway, a partner at Livingbridge, noted their 2017 vision to create a market leader in the fragmented family law sector by integrating exceptional customer service with digital marketing strategies. Their ambitious goals were met, resulting in a fourfold growth in the business.
The acquisition of Stowe Family Law by Investcorp signals a pivotal moment for the firm, setting a course for sustained innovation and growth within the family law sector. This strategic alignment with a global investment entity underscores the potential for enhanced service delivery and technological advancement.
