Keoghs

The Lawyer has estimated insurance-focused Keoghs’ turnover for 2011–12 as £47.5m based on its previous LLP accounts and the general performance of rivals in its peer group. This would mean a 15 per cent increase in turnover from a 2010–11 figure of £41m.

The specialist insurance firm, which also has a strong commercial offering, has an office in Coventry and employs in excess of 820 staff.

The firm opened a third office in Bolton in April 2012 in a bid to expand its casualty claims team work for employers, insurers, local authorities and businesses. The cost of Keoghs’ new 7,500sq ft facility and the promised ‘key appointments’ may eat into profit for the 2012–13 financial year.

However, Keoghs chief executive John Whittle said the firm will continue to invest in infrastructure to beef up its service lines and support further growth in 2012-2013.

One avenue the firm may explore further its external investment. In February 2012 it was revealed that private equity firm Bowmark Capital was in exclusive talks with Keoghs about its alternative business structure plans. However, in November the firm announced it was on the verge of receiving a cash injection from private equity house LDC after gaining approval for its ABS conversion.

In December 2012 the firm opened an office in Manchester after Clyde & Co’s Manchester fraud head Damian Ward decided to join the firm, bringing with him a 17-strong team.

Keogh's board is made up of CEO Whittle, a finance director, a chief information officer, a sales director, a director of strategy and two non-legal non-executives.