LDC Top 50 2026
Aashim Dhand and Rob Thomas
Co-Founders and Co-CEOs
PLS Solicitors
In 2008, Aashim Dhand set up as a sole practitioner conveyancer and needed a business partner. Property lawyer Rob Thomas, then in legal recruitment, took the call. “He was so interested in the business that I asked if he fancied a pint,” says Aashim. The pair have been business partners of Altrincham-based PLS Solicitors ever since.
Aashim and Rob have built a reputation for stellar customer service, communication and technology; 70 per cent of PLS’s work will soon be completed by agentic AI. They’re aiming for 15 per cent market share of the new build sector nationwide by 2030, and revenues of £35 million.
Our goal is 15 per cent market share of the new build sector nationwide by 2030.”
Q&A
How did you come to start this business together?
Rob: I was working at Eversheds but resigned to return to the firm where I’d originally trained. Just before I was due to start, the 2008 financial crisis hit and firms across real estate were pausing recruitment or letting staff go, including the firm I was due to join. Ironically, I took a job in legal recruitment to pay the bills and that’s how Aash and I met when he called in looking for a business partner.
Aashim: Rob was 26 and I was 27, and neither of us had run a business before. When it was initially just me, I bought a PC and a phone from Currys, and was armed with a book on setting up a law firm. I then met Rob and we learned everything on the job.
How important is technology to the business?
Aashim: Technology is fundamental to PLS and has been central to how we’ve scaled. We are already tech-led, and our ambition is to become an AI-native, end-to-end conveyancing platform by 2028, with 70 per cent of the case lifecycle delivered through intelligent automation. This will transform speed, accuracy and client experience, while freeing up our people to focus on the areas where they add the greatest value.
How do you get the best out of your team?
Rob: Setting and living the culture is key. Our staff work flexibly and we prioritise work/life balance, creating an environment where people flourish, with a clear path for progression. Everyone understands their purpose and their value to the customer experience. Incentives and rewards drive the right behaviours around customer service, communication and high standards. We have an in-house training programme and recruit from outside the industry – warm, empathetic people with excellent communication skills. We’re also implementing sentiment analysis to spot where individuals need support and coaching, so everyone can be at their best. Being named one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work means a lot – it comes from what our people say.
