The firm announced the change in a statement this morning, saying the new name “will better reflect the main trading name of the group’s commercial and disputes practice in London together with the seven international offices where the group operates around the world.”

LSE statement

In a statement released to the London Stock Exchange, Gordon Dadds Group PLC announced “the intention to change its name to "The Ince Group plc" with this proposed change to be voted on at the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). The Board believes that this name will better reflect the main trading name of the Group's commercial and disputes practice in London together with the seven international offices where the Group operates around the world. The other well-regarded historic name within the group, Gordon Dadds, will continue to be used for the private client and family practice in Mayfair, London. Group head, Adrian Biles, recently warned of competitive pressures facing traditional law firms if they do not respond to the challenge posed by incoming US firms and the growth of the big four accountancy firms in the sector, “If you are not in a business which is fit for purpose moving forward, the things you read in the press about Deloitte and the Americans should be making you very nervous.”

AGM date

The new name will be voted on at the group’s annual meeting which will take place Wednesday, 28 August 2019. The statement noted, “If approved, the change of name will be effective from 8 a.m. on Thursday, 29 August 2019.  The stock market ticker will become "INCE" and its ISIN will remain unchanged. The change of name will not affect any rights of shareholders and existing share certificates should be retained as they will remain valid and no new share certificates will be issued. The firm announced its results for the year to 31 March last month, reporting a 69 per cent rise in revenue and a 73 per cent rise in operating profit following a string of acquisitions.  It acquired struggling shipping law firm Ince & Co’s London and China offices on 31 December in a pre-pack administration, and added some of Ince’s overseas offices from 1 April.