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Fraser Dawbarns merges with Cambs practice

Written by News Desk

Wednesday, 13 February 2008

East Anglian law firm, Fraser Dawbarns, has delivered on its promise to take on new opportunities to grow the firm through mergers and acquisitions by merging with Cambridgeshire practice, Waterman Cheetham. Fraser Dawbarns, itself the result of a merger between Dawbarns Pearson and Frasers that was completed at the beginning of this year, is determined to be in a position to provide an increasingly competitive offering as the legal industry in the UK undergoes a series of major changes. Waterman Cheetham has offices in Wisbech and Peterborough and from May this year will trade under the Fraser Dawbarns name, already one of the largest law firms across the West Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Fens borders. Waterman Cheetham’s Wisbech operation, which includes a workforce of seven, will be consolidated into Fraser Dawbarns’ existing Wisbech facility, lifting staff numbers to approximately 80 on the site. The merger includes four people in Peterborough, which Tony Cheetham, one of the 1994 founding partners of Waterman Cheetham, expects to grow over the next few years. “It is the case that the world is becoming a much more complex place and it is easier to succeed in larger practices than smaller ones,” said Cheetham. “One major advantage is economies of scale, so there is quite a lot of adaptation to do initially; consolidation is the main priority. “Fraser Dawbarns is also expanding its March office and I anticipate we will be doing the same thing in Peterborough eventually.” Cheetham will continue at the new enlarged company, while fellow partner and founder, Anita Waterman, will retire ahead of the merger. The deal will bring the total number of partners at Fraser Dawbarns to 18, supported by a staff of over 110, across offices in King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Wisbech, Peterborough and March. “As well as providing us with a presence in Peterborough, the merger is good news for staff and clients alike,” said Fraser Dawbarns commercial partner, John Aitken. “Waterman Cheetham is highly regarded, sharing our commitment to traditional values and personal service.” Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 351 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

 

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