Revenue rose 8% to £162.0 million from £150.0 million a year earlier
LONDON: Knights Group Holdings plc, a national legal and professional services firm, reported double-digit profit growth for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, driven by strategic acquisitions, operational discipline, and recruitment momentum.
Revenue rose 8% to £162.0 million from £150.0 million a year earlier, while gross margin improved by 170 basis points to 50.5%. Underlying EBITDA climbed 11% to £42.9 million, with margin expanding to 26.5%. Underlying profit before tax also increased 11% to £28.0 million, and underlying basic earnings per share rose 10% to 23.95p.
Reported profit before tax fell to £12.3 million from £14.8 million, impacted by acquisition-related costs. Despite this, Knights declared a final dividend of 3.05p, lifting the total dividend by 9.3% to 4.81p.
The Group recruited 51 senior fee earners during the year, up 28% from FY24, and reduced churn to 10% in the second half. Knights also completed two major acquisitions—Thursfields Legal Limited and IBB Law LLP—adding 247 fee earners and expanding its footprint in the Midlands and South East. Post-period acquisitions of Birkett Long LLP and Rix & Kay LLP further strengthened its presence in Kent, Sussex, and wealth advisory services.
CEO David Beech said the Group’s corporatised model and national scale continue to attract high-caliber professionals and clients. “We expect growth in FY26 to be supported by the momentum we have seen building,” Beech said, citing a strong acquisition pipeline and operational excellence.
Knights ended the year with net debt of £64.8 million, up from £35.2 million, reflecting acquisition investments. Cash conversion remained strong at 130%, and debtor days held at an industry-leading 31.
The company said current trading is in line with expectations and reaffirmed its confidence in delivering further profitable growth in FY26 and beyond.