Preston firm’s conveyancing team sees record £3.1m growth

A high-growth Preston conveyancing business has its sights set on breaking the £10m barrier over the next 12 months after revealing record growth of £3.1m in its latest annual results.

The conveyancing division of Birchall Blackburn Law, which has offices on Avenham Street in Preston, says growth in the housing market has created record demand.

Conveyancing turnover from instructions across the UK has grown from £4.5m to £7.6m, a rise of 68 per cent, with the firm now receiving more than 2,000 conveyancing instructions per month.

The firm has recently launched a new conveyancing apprenticeship scheme with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) as it looks to attract new conveyancers to its 160-strong team.

James Boyd, chief executive of Birchall Blackburn Law’s conveyancing team, said: “It’s been a phenomenal year for the division, beating our target of 50 per cent growth.

“We’ve seen consistent growth in the housing market for some time and with the general election done and dusted we expect the momentum to grow.

“Over the past 12 months, we also formed strategic partnerships with estate agents, mortgage brokers and finance providers. We are in a good position to break the £10m turnover barrier by April 2016. Demand has never been so high.”

The firm was recently named as one of London Stock Exchange’s ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’. Its conveyancing division is ranked the UK’s fifth largest by latest Land Registry figures in terms of house sale and purchase transactions.

James added: “Not only are we looking to be a UK leader in conveyancing but we want to be an employer of choice for those seeking a career in conveyancing at all levels. We’re looking to create new jobs in the next 12 months and are currently in the midst of a significant recruitment drive.” Birchall Blackburn Law has offices in Manchester, Preston, Southport, Penwortham, Chester, Chorley, Leyland and Morecambe. It has a turnover of £15.5m and employs 310 people.