A national wills and probate practice has secured significant funding to enable it to pursue an “ambitious growth strategy… accelerating the organic growth plan through M&A.”
Right Legal Group, which incorporates RightWill and Simpson Solicitors, has announced Vespa Capital LLP has invested in the business. The SRA regulated firm is led by CEO Carrie Caladine and Chief Innovation Officer Mike Simpson and as part of the investment will welcome Derek Mapp as Chairman. Mapp brings “considerable experience as a CEO and Chairman of technology-enabled service businesses” and will augment efforts to invest in technology and product development, grow the team and develop the existing training academy.
Established in 2014, Right Legal has grown to 160 staff and through its RightWill services says it has supported over 30,000 clients to “preserve their financial assets and emotional wishes for future generations.” It has invested extensively in technology, which was, according to Luke Burton, Investment Director at Vespa Capital, one of the draws for the private equity investor.
“Carrie, Mike, and the broader team at Right Legal have built a quality-leading, innovative, and differentiated leader in the will writing and probate sector. From our first interaction we were continually impressed by Right Legal’s expertise and high standards, their professionalism, and their drive to disrupt and innovate for the benefit of their customers. We are excited to support Right Legal’s ambitions by backing their growth strategy and investing in their team, technology, and product development to continue to deliver high-quality customer service.”
Carrie Caladine adds:
“We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Vespa Capital. They have a strong track record in helping companies such as ours reach their growth potential and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as we commence the next part of our journey. Our team have worked so hard over the first 10 years to establish our first-rate service and business model, and we look forward to building on the strong foundations and helping many more clients to preserve their legacies.”
Vespa Capital LLP describe themselves as “a leading private equity investor in the UK lower mid-market supporting niche and disruptive high growth services and technology businesses.” They are the latest in a small but growing group of private equity investors to enter the UK legal services market. In June 2023 specialist contentious probate firm IDR Law announced a £3.25 million capital investment from BGF and in August 2021 Blixt Group announced it has invested in Essex based full service law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP.
Right Legal’s shareholders were advised by Arrowpoint Advisory, Geldards LLP, Mazars LLP and Fairgrove Partners. Vespa Capital was advised by Squire Patton Boggs, Grant Thornton, CISOselect, Continuum and Lockton UK.