Ashtons Legal acquires Norwich-based FDS and launches Ashtons Franchise Consulting

Posted 19/01/2016

In a strategic move designed to increase substantially its footprint in the franchise sector, Ashtons Legal Solicitors has acquired Norwich-based franchising consultancy Franchise Development Services (FDS). The East Anglian law firm will be working closely with national franchise media specialists Venture Marketing Group (VMG), in the launch of Ashtons Franchise Consulting Limited, which will offer comprehensive franchise support to existing and new franchisors. 

The new business, which advises both national and international clients, is based alongside Ashtons Legal on the Meridian Business Park in Norwich.

Ashton Franchise Consulting launches with a core team of five experienced and knowledgeable consultants who have been providing high quality commercial advice to franchisors from around the world for many years under the FDS banner and have a strong reputation in their market. 

Leading the consultancy venture is Nick Williams who comments: “I am delighted that our first class team of consultants now has a fantastic opportunity to team up with lawyers and media partners who are able to provide an unrivalled one-stop solution to our clients needs under the new Ashtons Franchise Consulting banner. It will enable us to provide a truly modern market leading proposition of services for those new to franchising and to established franchisors.”

Damian Humphrey, who leads the Franchise legal team at Ashtons Legal, adds: “We have previously had many mutual clients with Nick and his colleagues when they were trading under the FDS banner, so the opportunity to acquire the consultancy side of FDS and to work more closely with an outstanding group of consultants, was an excellent strategic fit for us. We anticipate that our collaboration with market leader VMG on this project will deliver very strong mutual benefits.”