Gilson Gray Confirmed as the UK’s Fastest-Growing Law Firm
Top Ranking & Growth Performance
Gilson Gray has been officially recognised as the fastest-growing law firm in the UK in the latest UK Fast Growth Index, ranking 15th fastest-growing professional services business overall — the highest position by any legal firm. (Manchester TV)
- Revenue exceeded £32 million in the 2023–24 financial year. (Manchester TV)
- The firm delivered around £40 million in turnover for 2024–25, representing a 25% increase year-on-year. (Manchester TV)
- In the first half of 2025–26, Gilson Gray is on track to surpass £50 million in revenue, a further ~20% growth. (Manchester TV)
This strong trajectory not only secured the fastest-growing legal firm title but placed Gilson Gray among the UK’s most rapidly expanding professional services companies overall. (Manchester TV)
Drivers Behind the Growth Surge
1. Strategic Expansion Across the UK
Gilson Gray’s growth has been fuelled by a deliberate strategy of geographical and service expansion:
- Offices now operate in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Angus — reflecting a national footprint. (Manchester TV)
- Senior specialist hires have strengthened key practices, including:
- Jeremy Davy, appointed partner and head of residential conveyancing for England and Wales. (Today’s Conveyancer)
- Steven Eckett, who became head of employment for England. (Deadline News)
These additions are part of the firm’s effort to scale capability and attract revenue-generating work across sectors. (Manchester TV)
Recognition & Accolades Supporting the Narrative
Gilson Gray’s growth is supported by multiple industry awards that reflect both performance and reputation:
- Law Firm of the Year — The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2025. (Manchester TV)
- Leading Firm – Legal 500 acknowledgment. (Manchester TV)
- Awards for Managing Partner of the Year and shortlist nominations for CEO of the Year. (Manchester TV)
These accolades reinforce the perception of Gilson Gray as a dynamic, client-focused practice with strong leadership and growing influence. (Manchester TV)
Leadership Comments
Glen Gilson, Chairman and Managing Partner, commented on the achievement:
“We are immensely proud to be recognised as the fastest-growing law firm in the UK. This ranking reflects the talent, drive, and dedication of our people, as well as the continued trust of our clients. Our integrated model enables us to deliver exceptional legal, property, and financial services under one roof, and this national recognition reinforces the success of that strategy as we continue our growth across the UK.” (Manchester TV)
This quote highlights both internal team strength and confidence in the firm’s business model as key contributors to its rapid scale-up. (Manchester TV)
What This Means for the UK Legal Market
Gilson Gray’s breakout performance indicates several broader trends in the UK legal sector:
- Full-service firms with diversified revenue streams (legal, property, financial services) can outperform more traditional or narrowly focused practices. (Gilson Gray)
- Strategic senior hires and expansion into key regions can accelerate growth and client reach. (Today’s Conveyancer)
- Recognition in growth indexes and awards can boost market visibility, further supporting business development. (Manchester TV)
Summary
- Gilson Gray is officially the fastest-growing law firm in the UK, ranked 15th among all professional services firms for growth. (Manchester TV)
- The firm has achieved strong annual revenue increases and is projected to exceed £50 million in the current financial year. (Manchester TV)
- Growth is driven by strategic hires, geographic expansion, and an integrated service model. (Manchester TV)
- Leadership attributes this success to talent, client trust, and an agile approach to legal and commercial services. (Manchester TV)
- Here’s a case-study and commentary–style breakdown of Gilson Gray being named the fastest-growing law firm in the UK, focusing on specific growth examples, what’s driving that growth, and leadership comments from the latest reporting.
Case Study 1 — Rapid Revenue Growth & National Ranking
What happened:
Gilson Gray was officially recognised as the fastest-growing law firm in the UK in the most recent UK Fast Growth Index — and the 15th fastest-growing professional services business overall, the strongest showing of any legal firm. (Manchester TV)Growth figures:
- 2023–24 revenue: more than £32 million.
- 2024–25 turnover: approximately £40 million, a ~25 % year-on-year increase.
- 2025–26 outlook: based on early results, expected to surpass £50 million — another ~20 % annual increase.
This consistent and accelerating growth trajectory illustrates how Gilson Gray has moved from strong performance into top-tier UK business expansion. (Manchester TV)
Commentary:
Glen Gilson, the firm’s chairman and managing partner, said the ranking “reflects the talent, drive, and dedication of our people, as well as the continued trust of our clients.” He also highlighted the firm’s integrated model — combining legal, property, and financial services — as a key strategic advantage. (Manchester TV)
Case Study 2 — Strategic Hires and Service Expansion
What happened:
Part of Gilson Gray’s growth comes from targeted senior appointments in key practice areas and geographic expansion. For example:- Jeremy Davy joined as partner and head of residential conveyancing for England and Wales, tasked with expanding that division’s reach and efficiency. (Today’s Conveyancer)
- Another recent addition was Steven Eckett, taking the role of head of employment services in England, indicating a deliberate push into broader UK markets. (The Business)
Impact:
These hires demonstrate a case-study pattern where growing specialist practices help fuel overall revenue — not just through client intake, but by increasing capacity and reputation in high-demand legal segments. (The Business)Expert comment:
In his comments on joining the firm, Jeremy Davy called Gilson Gray a “dynamic” operation that he had long admired and said he was excited to contribute to its growth, highlighting both the firm culture and growth ambitions. (Today’s Conveyancer)
Case Study 3 — Integrated Service Model & Nationwide Footprint
What happened:
Gilson Gray’s integrated service offering — combining legal advice, property services, and financial expertise under one umbrella — is a strategic differentiator that has helped drive client retention and cross-service revenue. This model supports a lifetime client relationship approach rather than one-off engagements. (Gilson Gray)Scale of operation:
The firm now employs close to 500 people across multiple offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Angus — demonstrating both depth and breadth of service. (Manchester TV)Commentary:
Gilson Gray’s own materials emphasise that being different in people, approach, and results is central to their growth strategy — an internal “manifesto” that underpins how they serve clients and expand geographically. (Gilson Gray)
Leadership & Industry Comments
Leadership Perspective
Glen Gilson emphasised that being named fastest-growing is a validation of strategy and culture, with specific praise for:
- The talent and dedication of staff.
- The trust from clients across services.
- The firm’s integrated business model as a growth engine. (Manchester TV)
Industry Interpretation
Observers point out that Gilson Gray’s success isn’t just organic volume growth — it’s also about strategic positioning:
- Targeted hires expand capacity into high-growth service areas.
- A cross-disciplinary service model captures more client value across legal, property, and financial needs.
- Nationwide office expansion broadens market access. (The Business)
This combination of strategic decisions and accelerated revenue performance is why Gilson Gray stands out not just in law, but across UK professional services.
Summary — Growth in Motion
Key takeaways from the Gilson Gray case studies:
- Revenue momentum: consistent double-digit growth year on year, with strong forecasts for 2025-26. (Manchester TV)
- Strategic talent acquisition: targeted hiring to expand high-value practices. (Today’s Conveyancer)
- Integrated services: a business model that drives client loyalty and multiple revenue streams. (Gilson Gray)
- Strong leadership messaging: growth credited to people, culture, and strategy. (Manchester TV)