US managed legal services firm Harbor has acquired UK-based HR consultants CE Global Partners, a move designed to expand its human capital management advisory practice that it launched last month.
The advisory offering helps law firms and other professional services organisations navigate workplace modernisation, HR upgrades and technology adoption. The CE Global team will join the advisory and broader operations practice.
Cheshire-based CE Global Partners is a HR specialist focused on enhancing cross-border payrolls, improving HR process and employee administration, and providing managed HR services.
Harbor has acquired the firm to expand its footprint in the UK combining CE Global’s payroll transformation solutions with its legal-sector relationships, technology, AI, operations and strategic abilities. The aim is to create one of the most accomplished services in the legal market for workforce modernisation.
Kevin McClean, practice group leader for business operations solutions at Harbor, said: “From programme readiness and platform selection through to vendor and systems integrator selection, client-side programme management and ongoing operational support, we can now meet clients where they are and walk with them through the full journey.”
Andy Jones, senior director at CE Global Partners, said that he is “excited” about what the two parties can create.
He added: “Bringing our specialist work together with Harbor’s strengths in technology, operations and strategy gives our clients access to a broader set of capabilities and gives Harbor’s clients access to delivery expertise that we have built across professional and enterprise markets.”
CE Global was established in 2015, according to Harbor. Its team comprises of 35 specialists, and it has a client base that includes Magic Circle and leading AmLaw firms.
Chicago-based Harbor was launched in 2023, following the merger of business group HBR Consulting, legal consultants the LAC Group and legaltech specialists Wilson Allen.
This was backed by private equity firm Renovus Capital Partners, who initially supported the merger between Wilson Allen and LAC Group, and then acquired HBR Consulting.
Since its launch, Harbor acquired legaltech company Keesal Propulsion Labs in 2023 and legaltech services providers Ascertus and Pinnacle in 2024.
And last year, it secured deals for IT services firm CLIENTSFirst Consulting and legal sector-focused technology training firm Encoretech.
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