FBC Manby Bowdler strengthens Knowle team as growth continues

Leading law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has unveiled a significant expansion of its Knowle office as it continues to enjoy a period of strong growth. 

The firm has welcomed a number of new appointments to Knowle and created new contentious probate and residential property law teams at the site. 

The move comes as FBC Manby Bowdler continues to expand after becoming the founding member of the Adeptio Law Group, which was launched following a £30m private equity investment by Horizon Capital in 2024. 

The new contentious probate team is led by partner Anna Sutcliffe who brings more than 20 years’ experience and is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Solicitors (ACTAPS). 

Anna has particular expertise in challenging disputed wills and regularly advises on claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, as well as disputes involving executors and trustees.  

Also joining the contentious probate team is solicitor Hollie Mills, who specialises in disputed estates and handles a wide range of matters including will validity challenges, inheritance claims, intestacy disputes and challenges concerning executors. 

The new residential team is strengthened with the appointment of senior associate Elisa Everitt. 

Elisa advises clients on all aspects of residential conveyancing work, including lease extensions, sales and purchases, transfers of equity, remortgages and new builds. 

Two further appointments have further strengthened the team at Knowle.  

Perveen Dhami joins as a partner in the property litigation team, bringing significant expertise in areas such as commercial landlord and tenant disputes, lease renewals and terminations, dilapidations, forfeiture and possession actions, and service charge and rent arrears disputes. 

Meanwhile senior associate Victoria Upton – an expert in wills, probate, estate planning and trusts, has moved to Knowle from the firm’s Redditch office to expand its private client service. 

FBC Manby Bowdler chief executive Neil Lloyd said the strength of the team at Knowle underlined the firm’s ambition. 

“We have assembled a first-class team of the best legal minds at Knowle to ensure that the community has access to trusted, legal expertise. 

 “Our continued growth – both here in Knowle and across Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Worcestershire – is closely tied to our role within Adeptio. As a founding member, we’re helping to shape a national group that brings together the very best of regional practice with the scale, innovation and resilience of a modern legal network.” 

The firm’s growth has seen it open new offices in Birmingham and Wolverhampton as well as the Knowle office and enjoy record turnover of more than £19milllion in the last year.  

For more information about FBC Manby Bowdler and its services, visit www.fbcmb.co.uk. 

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Editors notes

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is a 30-Partner award winning regional law firm focused on and committed to intelligently delivering stellar service to its customers.

The firm's approach is 'One Team' and is committed to delivering the greatest quality of service and advice possible. FBC Manby Bowdler's Client Charter explains the firm's promises to clients about the stellar service experience they can expect to receive.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is recognised in the 2019 Legal 500 Directory as a top tier Firm for Agriculture & Estates, Contentious Trusts & Probate, Family, and Commercial Litigation.

For further information, please visit www.fbcmb.co.uk, or follow the firm on Twitter @FBCManbyBowdler.