BGL Group to acquire Minster Law

BGL Group has today announced regulatory approval of Minster Law as an ‘Alternative Business Structure’ (ABS), thereby allowing BGL to acquire the law firm.

Minster Law, one of the UK’s top-35 legal firms and a major local employer in Wakefield and York, has been working with BGL for the past seven years, with the law firm helping to manage the claims process for the Group’s motor and bike insurance customers. The agreement, now approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), allows BGL to acquire Minster as an alternative business structure. This will significantly strengthen the partnership between the two businesses and add important legal services capability to the insurance group.

Formed in 2006, Minster Law is one of the largest road traffic accident (RTA) personal injury practices in the UK. Employing over 800 people and handling more than 40,000 personal injury claims in the last financial year, Minster Law offers help and advice in a range of legal areas including personal injury, employment, wills and probate.

Peter Winslow, Chief Executive of the BGL Group, said: “The acquisition of a successful law firm is an important and positive move for BGL and one that is key to our ongoing success. We have been working very closely with Minster Law for some time and there are already clear synergies between the two companies.”

Peter continued, “Like BGL, Minster Law has experienced strong growth in recent years and I’m looking forward to the company becoming part of the BGL Group and our future growth strategy.”

Adrian Christmas, Chairman of Minster Law, added: “We are delighted to be joining the BGL Group. The agreement will allow Minster Law to retain its independence, whilst also allowing our people access to all of the strategic and corporate advantages available within BGL, including the Group’s financial strength and vast consumer experience.”

All Minster Law employees will be retained in the acquisition and Adrian Christmas, the current Chairman of the company, will become Non-Executive Chairman.