Manchester based PI firm receives Swiss investment to drive acquisition led growth
Manchester-headquartered Express Solicitors has announced a private equity investment from Swiss firm Ufenau Capital Partners, in a deal designed to accelerate its growth strategy and strengthen its position in the UK personal injury market.
The top 100 law firm confirmed that Ufenau’s investment, the size of which has not been disclosed, will provide both strategic and financial support for its acquisition-driven expansion. The move comes as Express reports a significant rise in annual turnover from £70.6 million last year to £88.5 million in 2025.
Express, founded in 2000, has established itself as one of the country’s leading personal injury practices, handling a wide range of claims including road traffic accidents, workplace injuries and clinical negligence. The investment follows a series of acquisitions that have expanded the firm’s national footprint, most recently the purchase of Liverpool-based HNK Solicitors earlier this year.
Chief executive James Maxey said the partnership marks a major milestone in the firm’s 25th anniversary year. “This is a milestone transaction for Express Solicitors,” he said. “We’re in our 25th anniversary year, we’ve recently celebrated 65 internal promotions and the successful acquisitions of HNK Solicitors and Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors.
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“Now, our partnership with Ufenau, a private equity fund which exclusively supports buy-and-build strategies of high-growth service companies, will provide the strategic and financial firepower to support the continued development of Express Solicitors while delivering best-in-class services to injured people.”
The firm said the investment will allow it to pursue further mergers and acquisitions within the personal injury and consumer law sectors while maintaining its focus on client service and operational scale.
Ufenau Capital Partners, based near Zurich, is an established investor specialising in service companies operating in engineering, data analytics, healthcare, education and professional services. The firm typically acquires majority stakes in profitable, growing businesses with strong management teams, providing capital and operational expertise to accelerate development.
Ralf Flore, Ufenau’s managing partner, said the Express deal marked a significant step in the firm’s international expansion. “We are really excited to partner with James and the team at Express Solicitors,” he said. “Not only does this mark Ufenau’s first platform investment in the UK market since we opened our office in 2024, it serves as a strong platform to execute our systematic buy-and-build approach, while building on our expertise in the highly fragmented sector of professional legal services.”
He added that Ufenau’s investment model aligns with Express’s ambitions to expand its operations through strategic acquisitions, while maintaining strong governance and a focus on quality. The firm said Ufenau will work closely with Express’s existing management team to identify further opportunities across the UK.
The deal reflects the growing trend of private equity investment in UK law firms, particularly those operating in high-volume areas such as personal injury, conveyancing and consumer claims. Private equity funds are increasingly targeting legal services as consolidation within the sector gathers pace and as firms look to secure new sources of capital to scale operations and invest in technology.
Express said the investment would strengthen its market position and ensure long-term stability as it continues to grow its client base and workforce. The firm’s management team will remain in place following the transaction, and no structural changes to leadership were announced.
Maxey added that the focus now would be on sustainable expansion supported by Ufenau’s international experience. “Our mission remains the same — to fight for justice for injured people while building a strong, innovative and people-centred firm,” he said.