Palamon-backed Simplify acquires Cook Taylor Woodhouse to strengthen South East presence
Market-leading conveyancing and property services group, Simplify has today announced the acquisition of Cook Taylor Woodhouse Solicitors as part of an ongoing growth strategy, strengthening its presence in London and the South East and increasing the range of options available for clients and introducers.
Cook Taylor Woodhouse Solicitors, also known as CTW, is a top 15 UK conveyancer which has demonstrated strong growth and is known for efficient high quality service and recognised through excellent relationships with leading estate agents and as winners of a number of high profile awards.
The acquisition adds CTW to the group's stable of market-leading businesses which also include conveyancing firms Advantage Property Lawyers, DC Law, JS Law & Premier Property Lawyers (each of which is a Top 10 conveyancer in its own right), the leading conveyancing panel management and property services specialist Move with Us, together with My Home Move and the QualitySolicitors brand and marketing network. With the addition of CTW to the group, Simplify now completes more home mover transactions than the next 4 groups of conveyancing firms combined, and panel manages more still.
David Grossman, CEO of Simplify said “The strategic acquisition of CTW adds further strength to Simplify's market leading group. We acquired CTW because of its excellent reputation, strong team and scale in London and the South East, which will complement Simplify's own strengths. In a turbulent time for the housing market, it is great to be able to look forward and continue delivering our plans for growth and to further strengthen our position as the undisputed number 1 in UK conveyancing".
"Over the past year we have demonstrated our ability to successfully deploy our award winning technology across multiple conveyancing firms in the group and expand the reach of our market leading eWay digital platform. While we continue to grow all parts of the group organically, we will also explore other opportunities to add further strength to the group through further acquisitions"
Martin Bowers of CTW who will continue in his capacity as Director leading CTW, said: "We are delighted to have joined Simplify, a move that will help fuel CTW's continued growth in London and the South East. I have great respect for Simplify and its innovative and customer-focused approach to conveyancing. CTW will have an exciting and prosperous future within Simplify, benefitting from the scale of the group's operations and the exceptional technology platforms that Simplify has built for its clients and Introducers."
Palamon Capital Partners first invested in Simplify in 2014 to pursue a clear opportunity in the fragmented UK legal services market for players who have the scale to operate efficiently while meeting evolving customer expectations. Combined, the businesses that are part of Simplify processed or panel managed the conveyancing for over 6% of all UK home moves during 2019.
