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News

Shakespeares and SGH Martineau merge as regional firms gain ground on the City

updated on 16 June 2015

Midlands firms Shakespeares and SGH Martineau have merged, with the newly branded firm now called Shakespeare Martineau.

The merger takes the new firm into the UK top 50 and is Shakespeares' eighth in nine years. Andy Raynor, Shakespeare Martineau's chief executive, has said that the merger should make the firm big enough to pitch to FTSE 250 companies for advisory roles. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that the merger is the latest example of a growing trend of London law firms losing market share to their regional counterparts.

Announcing the merger, Raynor said: "We’re thrilled to get off to a flying start with a distinctive new brand and all our highly motivated people. Spirit, talent and enterprise are what the market can expect from Shakespeare Martineau. We can’t wait to get to work for our clients."