Law firm Clarke Willmott has reported strong growth as its chief executive Stephen Rosser steps down, after 13 years.
The firm, which has offices in Bristol and Taunton, reported another year of strong growth, with profit per equity partner (PEP) of £489,000 (up 14%) and revenue over the £60m mark at £60.8m. The firm said it has no bank debt, with over £13m in the bank at year end.
The results are the final year under the leadership of Mr Rosser who stood down as chief executive on April 30. He was succeeded by Peter Swinburn, who was previously managing director of the company's commercial property division.
Commenting on the results Mr Rosser said: “I am delighted with yet another year of excellent performance. It is a credit to everyone at Clarke Willmott that we are in this position.
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“Ever since I became chief executive, I have been working to build a sustainable, long-term future for the generations that will follow. Excellent client service and great career experiences for our people has been at the heart of everything I have worked towards with my team, underpinned at all times by strong financial discipline. These principles have been even more important in the years since 2020 and the COVID pandemic, but we emerge from these years in better shape than ever.”
Mr Swinburn added: “As we focus on growing our client relationships, we are also building a ‘right size, right shape’ business for the future. Our investments in tech are focussed on enabling our people to work effectively and flexibly wherever they are based on any given day.
“We are also transforming our property portfolio to better meet our future needs. We have already moved or redesigned offices in Southampton, Birmingham and Taunton. In 2023 we will move into the new, high spec Bristol office at Assembly C, and plans for a new Cardiff office are also in place."
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Clarke Willmott has submitted carbon neutrality plans for verification by the SBTi who are expected to respond later in 2023. The firm is planning to deliver immediate short-term improvements as a result of actions already being taken, and to achieve net zero by 2040.
Mr Swinburn continued: “I anticipate that 2023/24 will be a more challenging year in some ways than we have experienced recently, given economic and market headwinds. This said, one of the firm’s great strengths is the diversity of our business. Our resilience is improved as a result, and whilst some areas may face challenges due to the market, others will thrive.”
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