Colin is recognised as a leading consultant for law firm M&A work and has represented owners of law firms on both sell-side and buy-side to facilitate more than 70 deals. This work has enabled retirement, free from liabilities, for over 100 former law firm owners as well as helping ambitious younger owners to grow their firms around the UK with the opening of new offices. He has also worked with hundreds of individuals over the years to enhance their careers which has involved working with senior people on executive search projects, some of whom are now Managing Partners, Senior Partners and other board positions of national law firms.
Having begun his executive search focus on the legal sector in 1997, there are few people in the UK who know the sector as well as Colin. He began his career with MRI Worldwide at the UK office specialising in Law Practice and quickly became one of the top 20 fee earners from over 2000 consultants worldwide.In 2004, with the help of an investor, Colin launched Ortus Group which swiftly grew to a £1m + business operating solely in the legal sector. The firm held a small number of retained relationships for clients with well-defined growth plans and Ortus Group delivered senior lateral hires as well as numerous sales and acquisitions. In January 2009, Colin completed a management buyout from the investor giving him sole control of the business and in January 2025, he sold half of his shares to Dan Sill who he welcomes as co-Director. This experience of business launch, acquisition and sale is a useful personal insight brought to bear with clients who now seek to investigate similar routes, either as buyer or seller.
Colin is regularly asked for insight into the legal industry and has written for among others, PLC Magazine, Thomson Reuters and In-House Lawyer magazine as well as contributing to the College of Law’s education series on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Outside of work, Colin enjoys keeping active by playing tennis, padel, football and golf to varying standards as well being a weary supporter of Middlesbrough FC. He plays bass guitar in numerous bands and brews his own beer recipes, both of which have led to public acclaim!
If you would like to enquire about your personal situation, the prospective sale or acquisition of a law firm, to book his band, or simply to pity his football allegiance, feel free to get in touch for a confidential and informal conversation.