Deals: HF Buys a Stake in Crawford & Company Legal Services (CLS)

The latest expansion move from HF for you;

HF, leading legal advisers to the insurance and commercial sectors, has acquired a major part of the assets of Crawford & Company Legal Services Limited (CLS) including c. 90 people moving across as part of a TUPE consultation process.

CLS, originally established by Crawford & Company in the UK to capitalise on their ability to cross-sell legal services to their clients, has made the strategic decision to focus on their core capabilities in loss adjusting, claims management and counter fraud.

The acquisition by HF will also see the start of a strategic partnership between HF and Crawford, with HF able to provide a seamless transition to a comprehensive, innovative service for existing clients as well as protecting the jobs and employment rights of the teams involved.

The deal will enable HF’s Property Department to provide a full end to end service in a market where its people, technology and dynamism can make a real difference, alongside building an ongoing relationship with Crawford providing cross-selling opportunities across other service lines.  Clients will benefit from HF’s market-leading legal expertise in subrogation and litigation and a collaboration ensuring an uninterrupted service with stronger, technology-enabled, solutions for the future.

Ronan McCann, CEO & Managing Partner of HF said, “We’re excited at the opportunity to grow our business with the addition of the skilled team from CLS. Our shared focus on client service and our people, combined with our innovative, technology-led approach, gives us the opportunity to maximise the skills and expertise from both organisations to the benefit of our people, our clients and their customers.”

Paul Lofkin, President, UK & Ireland, Crawford & Company added, “For our clients, this means a smarter, more integrated service with ongoing cooperation that gives greater flexibility, improved recovery outcomes and continuity of service through a best-in-class approach. For our people, this opportunity represents the chance to lead and focus on the legal sector innovation. Meanwhile, Crawford retains its commitment to subrogation, pre-litigation and fraud capabilities, strengthened by this new strategic partnership.”