Ince & Co
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services, Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Pension advisory |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | Nine countries |
Key people | Donald Brown (CEO), Simon Howard (Non-executive chairman) |
| Products | Legal services, Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Pension advisory |
Number of employees | 700+ (2021) |
Ince & Co was a holding company based in the United Kingdom, specializing in legal services and publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Alongside legal expertise, it offered services in accounting, finance, consulting, and pension advisory. Previously operating under the name Ince Gordon Dadds LLP following its acquisition by Gordon Dadds Group LLP, the company rebranded as The Ince Group in August 2019.
By 2022, The Ince Group secured the 47th position in the The Lawyer UK 200 rankings, having generated £100.2 million in revenue during the prior year. As of 2021, its presence extended across nine countries with 21 offices and a workforce exceeding 700 employees globally. Donald Brown held the role of CEO, while Simon Howard served as the non-executive chairman.
In May 2023, Axiom DWFM acquired the firm out of administration and reinstated its original name, Axiom Ince. Subsequently, in July 2023, Axiom Ince purchased Plexus Law from administration. However, by August 2023, three directors were suspended by the SRA amid allegations involving a £64 million fraud. On 3 October 2023, the Solicitors Regulation Authority stepped in to close Axiom Ince, marking one of its most significant and expensive regulatory interventions to date.
History
In 2017, Gordon Dadds LLP became the second law firm to be listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, securing £20 million in capital two years following Gateley’s initial public offering. The Legal Services Act 2007 facilitated investment by non-lawyers into law firms structured as "alternative business structures." In 2018, Gordon Dadds expanded by acquiring Metcalfes Solicitors based in Bristol.
Early in 2019, Gordon Dadds purchased the UK and Chinese operations of Ince & Co for approximately £21 million, creating at that time the largest UK law firm by revenue listed publicly until DWF went public in March of that year. Both companies had foundations in insurance law; Gordon Dadds concentrated on complex dispute resolution and private client services, whereas Ince & Co had an international footprint with expertise in shipping, insurance, energy, and aviation sectors.
Six months after merging, most legal divisions and overseas offices were rebranded under "Ince," leaving only the Mayfair private client segment under the "Gordon Dadds" brand. The combined entity reported an 87% increase in revenue for fiscal year 2020 but experienced slower growth afterward. On 13 March 2022, a cyberattack compelled the firm to shut down its servers; subsequently, an injunction was secured to prevent any data breaches.
In April 2023, Ince Gordon Dadds entered administration amid reports of Donald Brown attempting to regain control of the firm. Within a month, Axiom DWFM acquired the company, which resumed operations as "Ince & Co," reinstating all former staff members.
Notable lawyers
- Marie van der Zyl, employment law specialist and 48th president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
- Lewis Pugh, former maritime lawyer who departed Ince & Co to pursue a career as an endurance swimmer and ocean conservation advocate
- Philippe Ruttley, ex-head of EU and competition law at Ince who transitioned to Keystone Law
- Michael Baker-Harber, Olympic sailor and partner at Ince & Co., recognized for his representation of Lloyd's of London