Higgs LLP announced on 3 June 2026 that it had completed a deal bringing McKenzie Law, a Shrewsbury firm owned by Niels and Vicki McKenzie, under the Higgs name. The press release gives no price, stake or deal structure. Higgs is backed by August Equity, so the transaction is one of a series of add-ons by a private equity-backed regional law firm.
Current as at 15 October 2026.
The dated fact
Higgs’s own release, dated 3 June 2026, says the firm has announced today that it has completed a deal which brings McKenzie Law under the Higgs LLP name. Companies House lists Higgs LLP (OC435996) as the person with significant control of McKenzie Law Limited (04910643), "Ownership of shares – 75% or more", notified on 1 June 2026; both McKenzies ceased to be registered controllers on 1 June 2026. The register shows the date control changed, not the word "completion". The match of company number 04910643 to the deal rests on the company name and the directors’ names, because the release carries no company number. The rules for dating and sourcing a deal report are on How We Source a Deal.
| Date | Target | Buyer/Backer | Sector | Type | Stake disclosed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 June 2026 (announced) | McKenzie Law, Shrewsbury | Higgs LLP (backed by August Equity) | Legal services | Acquisition, completed per buyer | No | Higgs LLP release |
What is known about the buyer
Higgs LLP is led by Nick Taylor, who is described as CEO in the McKenzie release. August Equity announced its fourth investment from Fund VI into Higgs, which is headquartered in the Black Country and has more than 250 employees. The investment announcement said August’s backing would provide capital to focus both on developing its existing people and to continue the recruitment of top-quality talent, and that Higgs would pursue M&A. Higgs now has three locations, including its office in Brierley Hill in the West Midlands and in Edinburgh.
Context
The target is described as the niche, family-owned law firm of Niels and Vicki McKenzie based in Shrewsbury. Mr McKenzie said the firm had built its business over the last 19 years with loyal colleagues and clients.
Higgs’s earlier deals, per the August release, were two small acquisitions (Lewis Onions in 2024 and M.R. Timms in 2025). In February it bought Vialex, and the release says the transaction establishes a new base in Edinburgh for Higgs LLP. August’s previous professional services exit was AAB: Today’s announcement follows the success of August’s exit of AAB to Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Figures on private equity investment in UK law firms for 2025 are in our Tally note PE put about £250m into UK law firms in 2025.
Not disclosed
- Consideration, deferred or contingent elements, and any equity rollover.
- The percentage acquired. The release speaks only of a completed deal.
- Whether the McKenzies and other staff hold roles, partnership or equity in Higgs.
- Adviser names and McKenzie Law’s financials.
The release does not say whether Niels or Vicki McKenzie take equity, though it says they are joining Higgs.
Sources
- Higgs LLP: McKenzie Law release
- Companies House: McKenzie Law Limited (04910643), persons with significant control
- Companies House: McKenzie Law Limited (04910643), filing history
- Higgs LLP: August Equity investment release
- Higgs LLP: Vialex and Navigator release
Editorial assessment
What follows is our own reading of the ownership record, not a statement taken from the filings cited.
- The release is written as a growth announcement rather than a terms disclosure, so owners comparing offers have no pricing reference from this deal.
- The deal is small next to the Higgs platform. Sources do not give McKenzie Law’s turnover, so no size comparison can be made.
- The sequence of Vialex, then McKenzie Law, suggests continued add-on activity, but no pipeline has been announced.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement date | 3 June 2026 | Higgs release |
| Target | McKenzie Law, Shrewsbury | Higgs release |
| Buyer | Higgs LLP | Higgs release |
| Backer | August Equity (Fund VI) | August release |
| Consideration | Not disclosed | Higgs release |
| Stake acquired | Not disclosed | Higgs release |
| Higgs locations | Three | Higgs release |
| Previous add-ons | Lewis Onions, M.R. Timms, Vialex | August and Vialex releases |
| Completion date | Not stated by the parties; Companies House records control passing to Higgs LLP on 1 June 2026 | Companies House filing history |
