Stowe Family Law, the UK’s largest family law firm, is set to pilot an unbundled service, providing more holistic support as part of its strategy to expand its offerings. This move comes under the guidance of its new owner, Investcorp, a global alternative investment manager headquartered in Bahrain.
Ken Fowlie, the executive chairman of Stowe, revealed plans for potential international expansion, marking a significant step with Investcorp, who acquired the firm last month from Livingbridge. Livingbridge had owned the practice since 2017 and facilitated its growth from 100 staff in 10 offices to nearly 400 employees in 90 locations, largely driven by significant acquisitions in recent years.
Fowlie attributes the firm’s impressive growth to a scalable and sustainable business model emphasising digital presence and flexible working, primarily from home. This model proved effective, with Stowe Family Law generating over 65,000 client inquiries in the year leading up to March 2024, a number significantly higher compared to leading personal injury brands.
During Livingbridge’s ownership, all growth was self-funded, yet they provided invaluable business insights and connections within their portfolio, aiding Stowe’s development. Fowlie reflected on the benefits of external ownership, drawing comparisons with his past experiences at Slater & Gordon. Investors, he noted, offer a distinct perspective on business, comparing performance against diverse sectors rather than within the legal field alone.
Looking ahead, Stowe Family Law’s ‘Stowe 3.0’ strategy focuses on expanding market share, with acquisitions playing a central role. An example is the recent acquisition of Hawkins Family Law, which allowed Stowe to establish a strong presence in Milton Keynes. Furthermore, the firm aims to broaden its service beyond traditional legal advice by integrating divorce coaches and exploring amicable, consensual resolutions that align with emerging client preferences.
Stowe is also piloting a ‘guided family law’ service, enabling clients to customise their support needs, reflecting a shift towards more technologically savvy and autonomous client interactions. Despite these innovations, Stowe remains mindful of the traditional service’s constraints, such as professional indemnity insurance challenges associated with unbundled services.
Fowlie acknowledged the inevitable role of AI in enhancing business processes. Currently, AI supports marketing efforts, but future potential lies in automating back-office operations and harnessing insights from unstructured data. Investcorp’s global presence is expected to further benefit Stowe, particularly in exploring potential international markets, although UK expansion remains a priority.
With Investcorp’s backing, Stowe Family Law is poised for a new era of growth, emphasising innovation and client-centric solutions while maintaining a strong domestic focus with an eye on global opportunities.
