Winn Group hits £40 million profit milestone

A North East legal and accident management firm has posted record results following a strong year of expansion and evolution across its services.

Newcastle-based Winn Group reported revenue growth from £190 million to £196 million in FY25, with gross profit rising from £54 million to £59 million. 

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to £40.6 million – up from £37.4m – marking the first time the Group has passed the £40 million threshold.

Legal fees climbed 32 per cent, driven by a 46 per cent rise in non-personal injury work and a 38 per cent uplift in fixed recoverable costs. 

Revenues from the Ministry of Justice portal also grew by 19 per cent, while hire instructions rose nearly ten per cent, contributing to the overall uplift. 

Chief executive Chris Birkett attributed growth to a mix of new business wins and continued momentum with existing accounts. 

He said: “Our protocol arrangements with insurer partners are a key differentiator for the Group, and for claims where we don’t have protocols, we chose the right ones to litigate and delivered a 96 per cent success rate when we did go to court.

“Our success rate underlines the value of protocols, which bring transparency to claims management for all sides.

“We are one of the very few claims firms to own a solicitors and our results demonstrate the value of having that skill set in house; the fee income made a valuable difference to our result.”

Although average hire periods dropped by around ten per cent as supply chains stabilised, Chris said investment in technology and customer experience remained central to the Group’s strategy.

He added: “We’ve spent a six-figure sum on Agentic AI (AI case handlers) to manage data input and administration, such as interacting with the courts and the DCP.

“We have also developed an open banking app to support impecunious clients, who need to provide data to explain their financial position when making a claim. 

“This can be a laborious and stressful process, but our new app makes the process much easier.”

Looking ahead, Chris said Winn Group is entering its “next phase” with plans to expand its core motor claims proposition through intervention and fault services, an enhanced 24/7 FNOL offer and a new wills and probate platform for brokers. 

The Group is also looking to grow its national footprint, with 36 staff now based at Winn Solicitors Scotland in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

He added: “We are discussing with a number of insurers the opportunity to offer intervention and fault services as a natural extension to our 24/7 FNOL proposition, as well as creating a wills and probate offering specifically aimed at brokers.

“It’s part of our medium-term strategy to broaden our offering across the industry with a wider portfolio of products, alongside our core motor claims proposition.

“This is the first set of results without our founder, Jeff Winn, at the helm. 

“Jeff has been an outstanding leader of the Group and a driving force behind our success.

“As the major shareholder and board member, he will continue to be involved in an advisory capacity, and his insight and strategic perspective will be essential as we move into the next phase.”

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