Howe And Spender – A New Chapter

JCP Solicitors is due to merge with Port Talbot-based law firm Howe and Spender on 11th August 2025. In this article, we hear from Ian Spender, current Managing Partner at Howe and Spender who will be joining JCP Solicitors as a Director following the merger.

Howe and Spender has a proud history in the Port Talbot area can you explain more about the firm’s roots?

“Howe and Spender was founded in 1995 through a merger between John Spender and Co and Howe Walsh and Ambrose. The latter had been established for over 100 years, and was originally founded by Edward Evans, the great-uncle of former Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer Geoffrey Howe. John Spender and Co was founded by my father in 1975, and so since these firms merged in 1995, Howe and Spender has been open for more than 30 years. You could say, we have already seen the strength to be gained from merging with the right firm at the right time.

“At Howe and Spender we have always been deeply proud of our history in the area, serving business and private clients in Port Talbot. We have maintained long-standing relationships with our clients, often supporting families over generations, and we are delighted to bring those clients with us for this new stage of the business.”

How did you come to work at Howe and Spender?

“I began working at Howe and Spender during school summer holidays but officially joined the firm after qualifying as a Solicitor in 1991. Since then, I’ve developed the practice and welcomed new team members, ensuring our clients get the best possible service from friendly and knowledgeable people.”

What area of law do you specialise in, and how will this continue after the merger?

“I specialise in Lifetime Planning, which includes Wills and Probate, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and related areas, and my team provide expertise on Residential and Commercial Property. After the merger is complete, we hope to strengthen JCP’s offering to clients in need of these services while maintaining our current client base.”

Why choose to merge with JCP Solicitors?

“We have been aware of JCP’s growth over the years and admired the success of their previous mergers with other firms in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, and Caerphilly, Cardiff and Cowbridge.

The way the legal market is shifting, we knew we needed to become part of a larger organisation to continue providing the level of service our clients have come to expect. We were very impressed by JCP’s values -supporting their teams and their clients, and we wanted to be associated with a trusted, reputable and compassionate brand.

“Overall, it is a fantastic opportunity to become a part of #TeamJCP, as our teams will gain experience on a wider range of cases and our clients will gain access to other areas of legal expertise to suit their needs.”

What are you hopes for the future while operating as part of JCP Solicitors?

“We hope to play a key part in growing the client base in Port Talbot. The town is rife for investment and has a strong cohort of established and emerging SMEs alongside the communities we have been serving over the decades. There are so many opportunities in Port Talbot despite the steelwork closures, and we want to be a part of the town’s continued regeneration and business success.

“We hope our private clients with commercial needs will see the value in coming to the same firm for all their legal requirements, as we will stay loyal to Howe and Spender clients as we begin a new chapter under the JCP Solicitors brand.

“Lastly, I hope the merger demonstrates to aspiring Solicitors in the region that you do not have to leave your hometown, or move to a big city, to have a thriving legal career. The opportunities available with JCP mean graduates, apprentices and aspiring legal professionals can find roles and training opportunities at the firm, all without having to move away. I will be proud to be a Director at JCP Solicitors, and know we are in for a bright future.”

Conveniently located at Station Road, Port Talbot, you can contact the team at Howe and Spender before and after the merger on 01639 881571.