European IP services provider Murgitroyd makes second acquisition, and becomes the largest IP practice in the UK

Sovereign Capital Partners, the UK private equity Buy & Build specialist, is delighted to announce that portfolio company Murgitroyd, a leading European provider of IP services, has acquired UDL Intellectual Property (UDL). This follows Murgitroyd’s acquisition of Irish patent and trade mark attorney firm Hanna Moore + Curley in August.

With heritage dating back to the 19th century, UDL specialises in British, European and international patent, trade mark, design and copyright services to clients across multiple sectors. Based in Leeds and with offices in London, Cardiff, Milton Keynes and Newcastle, the business has a team of over 70 people.

The acquisition, which expands Murgitroyd’s existing UK footprint and attorney base, establishes the Group as the largest IP practice in the UK and consolidates its position as one of the largest operators in Europe. Today the Group employs c.440 staff and has 16 offices across the UK, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland and Finland.

Gordon Stark, CEO, Murgitroyd, said: "UDL is a high-quality business and great fit for Murgitroyd. The acquisition advances our strategic ambitions, as we continue to grow Murgitroyd through a blend of organic development and carefully selected acquisitions, to create the European leader in IP professional and support services. With Sovereign’s investment and partnership, our continued growth will enhance our client capabilities and enable us to support their IP needs."

Jonathan Thorne, Partner, Sovereign Capital Partners, said: "This is fantastic news for Murgitroyd. The Group is leading an emerging trend of consolidation within the IP sector, where scale brings a greater depth of technical and legal expertise and breadth of services as clients increasingly require a one-stop, multi-sector, multi-service approach in meeting their business needs. We look forward to continuing to work with Gordon and the team to further support the Group’s European ambitions through Buy & Build."