UK firms Dickinson Dees and Bond Pearce in merger negotiations

Dickinson Dees and Bond Pearce have announced that they are negotiating a potential merger to create a combined firm with revenues of over £90 million. The negotiations follow failed merger talks between Bond Pearce and Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens, and are seen as a promising match-up, combining Dickinson Dees’ northeastern presence in Newcastle, London, Leeds and Teesdale with Bond Pearce's network of southern offices in Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, London and Aberdeen. Dickinson Dees managing partner Jonathan Blair said: "Our strategies, cultures, sector capabilities and geographic footprints appear to be sufficiently complementary as to warrant consideration of whether, in a rapidly consolidating market, a merger of our two firms would facilitate the execution of their respective strategies." Bond Pearce managing partner Victor Tettmar added: "Both Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees have clearly articulated strategies. "By merging the two firms we could take a major step towards fulfilling our longer term strategic goals, implementing now a client and values driven merger to create a firm in the top 30 in the UK capable of delivering the strength in depth and specialist skills required by our clients, be they large corporates, major organisations or high net worth individuals. It is that opportunity that we now wish to explore."

UK firms Dickinson Dees and Bond Pearce in merger negotiations legalweek.com Thu, Sep 13, 2012