Vincents appoints head of private client services

Chris Mathews has been appointed head of private client services at law firm Vincents Solictors.

Chris joins Vincents from Dickson Haslam where he was head of wills, probate and estate planning.

Chris brings with him a team of three from Dickson Haslam’s Lytham office. Legal executive Donna Matthews will assist with personal legal services such as wills and probate, trusts and Lasting Power of Attorneys, while senior conveyancer Angela Hoggarth will look after residential property transactions. Completing the team is legal secretary Karen Cooper.

The private client practice services include wills and probate, family law and conveyancing. Chris will head a team of fee earners working across the firm’s six Lancashire offices.

He said: “Vincents is a vibrant, growing firm which is expanding its service offering, expertise and number of offices across Lancashire and it is an exciting time to join. I was attracted by the company’s ethos of providing a great service at a reasonable price, and the opportunity to head and grow the private client department. I’m also pleased to be able to bring my team with me, and we look forward to welcoming clients old and new.”

Headquartered at Winckley Square in Preston, Vincents Solicitors has five regional offices in Garstang, Longridge, Knott End, Penwortham and, most recently, Colne. Chris and his team will initially be based at Preston with a move to a new office in Lytham planned for early in the New Year.

The new appointments and Lytham office launch are part of a company-wide expansion. The current recruitment drive aims to boost the family law, property and commercial teams, enhancing services for existing clients and enabling new business growth. Vincents also offers services in criminal and employment law, motoring offences and personal injury.

Phillip Gilmore, Vincents’ managing partner, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Chris and his team to Vincents and to be working with him on growing this important department within the business. Chris has more than 30 years’ experience in this sector and has a strong reputation within the region, particularly on the Fylde coast.

"His appointment is part of a wider strategy to grow business across all our departments - from private client services to family law, commercial and employment - and provide our clients with support for both their personal and business requirements.” Pictured: Donna Matthews and Angela Hoggarth with Vincent’s newly appointed head of Private Client Services Chris Mathews