A firm has posted eye-catching profit and revenue hikes in the year it was bought into by private equity investors. HF, formerly known as Horwich Farrelly, this week reported pre-tax profits up 31% to £11.1m in the year to 31 December 2025.

During the same period, revenue rose by 29% to £89m. The figure is likely to grew significantly in the current year after two acquisitions were completed. In January, HF completed the purchase of the assets and work in progress of Crawfords Legal Services Legal. This transaction was settled in cash. In June, the firm completed the acquisition of its rival Hempsons LLP.

Lock-up of work in progress and outstanding client debtors increased from £31m to £38m.

Horwich Farrelly, based in the north-west, established itself as a firm largely serving insurance clients defending claims. In March 2025, its board agreed to sell a minority interest in the business to CBPE, a UK-based private equity firm which specialises in investing in businesses of HF’s size.

HF said the investment has allowed the group to accelerate growth plans, develop technology and focus on people with continued employee share ownership.

In his director’s report, Ronan McCann, chief executive, said: ‘The group is actively looking for expansion opportunities through winning new customers in existing lines, expansion into alternative lines of legal services and through the acquisition of firms that fit well with the business model.’

HF announced this week it is expanding in Dublin with the acquisition of Ennis & Associates LLP, Matrix Claims Services Ltd and Cardinal Claims Services Ltd. The new, combined HF business in Ireland will be led by Matrix chief executive Enda Cunningham who has invested in the expanded business alongside several senior colleagues.

Ennis, Matrix and Cardinal are sister firms with a total of 60 employees, providing an integrated, end-to-end claims management and defence litigation offering to the Irish insurance sector.