Brilliant recruit top lawyer and finalise funding

The ambitious Leeds start-up, led by former Minster Law chief executive Matthew Briggs, said it is now competing with established law practices with its “transparent” fixed-fee service.

Elcot Capital Management led the funding round and brought in backers including a number of private equity funds and high net worth individuals.

Brilliant’s backers include Andrew ‘Bert’ Black, the gambling entrepreneur who founded Betfair.

It is chaired by Jeremy Fenn, the former chief executive of Sports Internet Group, which was sold to BSkyB for £301m.

Mr Briggs said: “We have completed a significant fundraising and are adding like-minded and supportive investors to the company’s register.

“This extra funding will allow Brilliant Law to strengthen and broaden the company’s service offering and expand Brilliant Law’s customer base.”

Mike Vogel, chairman of Elcot Capital Management, said he is confident that the company is going to expand rapidly.

Brilliant has hired Jag Mundi, an experienced City operator and former head of investment banking at Numis Securities, as a non-executive director.

He also took part in the fundraising.

The 47-year-old Oxford graduate was a corporate lawyer at City law firm Gouldens before entering the world of investment banking with Guinness Mahon and Co.

After five years with Investec where he was co-head of corporate finance, he joined Numis Securities.

He has worked as an independent adviser since 2008.

Mr Briggs said: “It reflects well on our progress that we are already able to attract individuals of Jag’s calibre.”