matchmaker⁺ Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Helping traditional firms modernise, grow and become acquisition-ready
Exit on your terms • where law firms find their perfect match
A new pathway for ambitious regional firms
Across the UK, many long-established high-street and market-town firms face the same challenges:
- Recruitment has become increasingly difficult
- Competitors are expanding around them
- Organic growth feels limited
- Mergers and acquisitions are appealing but difficult to navigate
- Market perception hasn’t kept up with the modern legal landscape
The Matchmaker⁺ Growth & Acquisition Strategy service was created for these firms — established practices with strong reputations, deep community roots, and the desire to move forward rather than stand still.
Born out of our work with some local practices this model is now available to suitable firms nationwide.
1. Growth Direction
Identifying sensible expansion routes, new market towns, and attractive regional opportunities.
2. Perception & Modernisation
Strengthening how the firm is seen by potential recruits, potential sellers, and the market:
- Social media activation
- LinkedIn and employer-brand uplift
- Website and messaging alignment
- Virtual office strategy
- Market-town perception shifts
3. M&A Readiness
Preparing the firm for acquisition and merger activity:
- Partner alignment
- Appetite and capacity mapping
- Suitability profiling
- Early-stage target identification
- Making the firm more attractive to sellers
4. Risk & Operational Review
Optional exploration of Professional Indemnity Insurance arrangements, highlighting potential cost-savings and improvements via Rhubarb Insurance Brokers⁺.
A structured, strategic approach to growth
The programme blends 35 years of law-firm experience, real-world M&A insight, and hands-on growth direction. It helps firms understand where they are, where they can go, and what needs to change to become a more attractive acquirer or merger partner.
The Strategy Session (starting point)
Every Growth & Acquisition programme begins with a two-hour Strategy Session — a structured, in-person meeting with the leadership team.
This session includes:
- A detailed review of the firm’s current position
- Exploration of growth ambitions and obstacles
- A perception and brand review
- Acquisition appetite definition
- Market-town and expansion mapping
- Immediate perception-shifting recommendations
- Early target-firm thinking
- Travel anywhere in the UK (included in the fee)
Following the session, the firm receives a written recommendations report, capturing key insights, priority actions, and the agreed direction of travel.
(The Strategy Session requires signed Matchmaker⁺ Buyer Terms and NDA in advance.)
Ongoing Partnership (optional)
Firms wishing to continue their growth journey may choose to join our enhanced rhubarbCircle⁺ GROWTH tier — a premium monthly partnership designed for firms actively modernising or preparing for acquisition.
rhubarbCircle⁺ GROWTH provides:
- Ongoing access to Mick for strategic direction
- Attendance at partner meetings (monthly or bi-monthly)
- Priority introductions to suitable sellers
- Early access to discreet seller opportunities
- Enhanced success-fee terms
- Perception, social and brand guidance
- Recruitment and market-town expansion advice
- Review of PII and risk arrangements with potential cost-saving opportunities
- Exclusive positioning as a Matchmaker⁺ growth-focused firm
This tier is designed for firms who want a true strategic partner on their journey.
Is this right for your firm?
This programme is ideal for firms who are:
- Respected, established and rooted in their community
- Beginning to feel pressure from competition or recruitment
- Considering acquisition or merger within the next 1–3 years
- Unsure where to begin or what the market looks like
- Ready to modernise and take meaningful steps forward
If this sounds like your firm, the Growth & Acquisition Strategy programme can provide clarity, momentum, and direction.
Start with a private conversation.
If you’re planning an exit, considering a merger or simply exploring your future options, matchmaker⁺ offers a discreet, personal and supportive approach.
Everything begins with a confidential chat.