Druces says the merger will strengthen their private client and real estate practices and represents around £1.6 million of additional fee income for the firm. The firm will be joined by four directors as partners or consultants, seven fee earners, three secretaries and two business services staff.

Particular pleasure

Druces says it is particularly pleased to welcome Christopher Sykes, a real estate specialist in the field of leasehold enfranchisement, author of the Law Society book on the subject and co-founder of Sykes Anderson Perry. He will be joined in the Real Estate team by residential property Partner, Gemma Wright, together with two Senior Associates. The merger also adds strength to the private client and international wealth & fiduciary team with the addition of consultant and co-founder, David Anderson, an international private client tax specialist, and Partner Nicole Gallop Mildon. Ms Gallop Mildon is dual-qualified in England and France and advises on UK and cross border  private client  as well as French real estate issues. She works closely with a dual-qualified Spanish Abogado/English Solicitor who is also joining the Private Client team.  A solicitor will also be joining the Dispute Resolution team.

Growth path

This merger follows on from Druces’ successful merger with Ronaldsons last year, which significantly bolstered the firm’s capital markets practice. Druces is now ranked 15th for the number of AIM-listed clients and second in the UK for the number of AIM-listed clients in the basic materials sector. Roy Campbell, senior partner at Druces, said “It’s an exciting time for the firm. Following five years of double-digit financial growth, Druces re-entered The Lawyer’s ranking of the UK’s top 200 law firms (by fee income) last year. Christopher Sykes, co-Founder of Sykes Anderson Perry, said “We are delighted to be merging with Druces. We are confident that this merger will complement our existing strengths, and deliver an enhanced offering with a broader range of services for the benefit of our clients.” The merger will take effect from 1st October 2019.