BLG and Clyde & Co partners pave way for £300m tie-up

Partners at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co have agreed in principle on a merger that would create a combined firm with a turnover of more than £300m.

The two firms said their management teams would “now complete the negotiations and tasks necessary to enable a formal merger agreement to be signed”.

Clyde & Co senior partner Michael Payton said: "There is huge enthusiasm and we look forward to the finalisation of the agreement and proceeding towards integration. We are all alive to the benefits that the combined firm will provide for our people and our clients, both in the insurance market and more broadly in the area of dispute resolution, both in the UK and across our international network."

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert senior partner Simon Konsta added: "The result of the votes is an exciting and very positive step forward and reflects our belief in the potential of a combination between our two firms. We are pleased that the partners and our clients have responded positively so far."

The successful vote comes in the same month that Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper gave the green light to their own tie-up, which will create a £175m+ turnover, 2000-staff strong firm.