17 minute read
NEWS
Stevens & Bolton marks 150th anniversary with 20% revenue growth
Guildford-based, independent law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP has announced its financial results for 2023/2024, revealing double digit growth in revenue, net profit and profit per equity partner (PEP) in the firm’s 150th anniversary year.
Having shortened its financial year to 11 months to accommodate Basis Period Reform, Stevens & Bolton saw revenue increase by 20% compared with the same period in the prior year, with net profit increasing by 36% over the same period. Grossed-up on a 12-month basis, revenue grew by 18% to £42.3m, net profit by 31% to £16.7m and PEP by 22% - with an average profit share of £360,000 and the top of the firm’s all-equity structure at £750,000.
The firm sees these results in the context of its continued commitment to being a thriving independent law firm, with lawyers and business teams collaborating in one location to make a positive difference and to deliver ‘Excellence beyond the City’ for the firm’s clients, its people and the wider community.
Along with the contribution made by longstanding relationships with key clients like Papa John’s, Philips, Nintendo, Bunzl, Lonza, The Ardonagh Group and Samsung, Stevens & Bolton’s international approach saw crossborder work this year account for over 12% of revenue across 48 different jurisdictions.
Strong revenue growth across the firm’s business and private client offerings, and targeted investment to drive continuous business improvement, has allowed Stevens & Bolton to:
· Support its community by donating laptops to a local charity which promotes the education needs of deaf children, young people and adults worldwide; contributing to the natural environment with the firm’s engagement in its ‘Dig on the Mount’ project (to regenerate an endangered habitat on its doorstep); and providing business support to entrepreneurs on the Surrey Research Park
· Share its financial success with staff - paying out under its all-staff profit share bonus scheme at the maximum 3% of salary level and expanding the annual discretionary bonus pool by 27% (with 30% more discretionary bonus recipients than last year)
· modernise its working environment and technology infrastructure to better enable a productive hybrid working model
The firm has also continued to support the career ambitions of its people by promoting four new partners internally this year to its all-equity partnership, alongside 13 lawyers to Senior or Managing Associate level.
This year Managing Partner James Waddell and Senior Partner Keith Syson also welcomed Doug Williams to the senior management team – Doug joined Stevens & Bolton as Chief Operating Officer from DLA Piper (where he was previously International Head of Operations) to lead the firm’s investment in its business teams.
Commenting on the results, James Waddell, Managing Partner at Stevens & Bolton LLP, said:
“I am delighted that our results so clearly reflect the confidence placed by our clients in our talented and cohesive group of partners and lawyers.
The firm is ambitious to build on the firm’s strong foundations and committed to delivering a standout client experience and a distinctive and collaborative culture where everybody can contribute and flourish.
We see strength in our full-service legal offering, our national and international outlook and in our all-equity partnership model. I am confident that by always improving, evolving and challenging ourselves to do better, we will continue to attract and retain clients and talented people to our firm.
Thanks as ever go to our clients, to our broader referrer community and to our people, whose commitment, enthusiasm and hard work makes it possible.
Doug Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Stevens & Bolton, added:
“While the firm has demonstrated consistent and sustainable performance, we recognise the increasing pace of change in the legal market and shifting needs of both our clients and our people and have evolved our ambition and approach to match.
This year’s step-change in performance was supported by an increased focus on business management and is underpinned by investment in our professional non-legal teams and operating platform as we look to push beyond traditional business services.” ■
Owen White Catlin Announces the Passing of Managing Partner Judith Williamson
It was with profound sadness that on 3rd September 2024, Owen White Catlin announced the passing of Judith Williamson, Managing Partner, following a short illness. Judith's leadership and dedication were instrumental in the growth and success of the firm. Judith was a cherished colleague; her loss is deeply felt by all of us at Owen White Catlin and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
Judith joined Owen White Catlin in 1984 and became Managing Partner in 2012. Judith was instrumental in fostering female leadership and multicultural diversity within the firm. Her adept leadership ensured the firm navigated the challenges of the Covid pandemic successfully and saw the adoption of a modern vision and growth strategy. Her legacy is one of excellence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to her clients and colleagues.
The firm will continue to uphold Judith's vision and dedication to providing outstanding legal services. ■
TWM announces new Head of Employment Law among series of promotions
TWM Solicitors is pleased to announce that Partner Andrew Peters has been promoted to Head of Employment Law, with effect from 1 August 2024. His promotion recognises Andrew’s outstanding contribution to both the firm and his clients, as well as the growing demand for TWM’s employment law services.
Andrew advises both employers and individuals on all aspects of employment law and work-related issues. He has a wealth of employment law experience and prior to joining TWM in June 2023, Andrew spent more than 18 years practising employment at prominent regional firms.
Jamie Berry, Managing Partner, commented: “Since returning to TWM as Partner last year, Andrew has firmly established his role within the firm. I am delighted to announce his new position as the Head of our Employment Law team, where he will continue to enhance our reputation as a leading employment law practice in the regional market.
Andrew is an outstanding employment lawyer with extensive experience across the full spectrum of employment law. I am confident in his ability to lead the team and further develop our practice to meet our clients' needs.”
In addition to this leadership change, TWM is delighted to announce the addition of two new equity partners to the firm, David Powell (Head of Business Law) and Caroline Keeley (Head
of Family), with David bringing the unique distinction of having trained with us during the early stages of his legal career. This welldeserved promotion is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and significant contributions to the firm.
TWM is also pleased to announce eleven further promotions, of which five are former trainees of the firm:
• Sarah Archibald promoted to Partner in Family
• Will Macauley promoted to Managing Associate in Lending
• Lucy Farrow-Smith promoted to Senior Associate in Lending
• Madeleine Beresford promoted to Managing Associate in Private Client
• Louisa Wilday promoted to Senior Associate in Private Client.
All five have built their legal careers with us. Additionally, Jaspreet Gorae and Mia Evans have successfully completed their training contracts and have joined as Solicitors in the Business Law and Lending teams, respectively.
Jamie Berry added: “We are extremely pleased to promote five former trainees and welcome two newly qualified solicitors from our trainee program. This highlights the growth opportunities TWM offers to those advancing their legal careers. I extend my congratulations to all on their new roles and thank them for their dedication and contributions. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to drive our business forward and grow their professional careers with us.” ■
Russell-Cooke obtains rare Welfare Deputyship on behalf of family of SEN young adult
Private client legal director, Vanessa Collins, of law firm Russell-Cooke, has obtained a rare Welfare Deputyship on behalf of the family of a young adult with special educational needs (SEN). The young adult lacks capacity and has complex medical needs. The deputyship specifically addresses the young person’s health needs and authorises their welfare deputies to make medical decisions on their behalf.
Health and Welfare Deputyships can be applied for by individuals willing to manage the affairs of a person over 18 who is mentally incapable of creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
Vanessa Collins, legal director at Russell-Cooke, said:
“This outcome is particularly significant given the court's historical reluctance to grant a deputy broad and general authority over an incapable person’s health and welfare. Whilst financial deputyships are often successful, obtaining a deputyship for health and welfare matters has been much more challenging for many years.”
“Applicants should understand their chances of success, the favourable circumstances in which courts will consider their application and the information necessary to improve those chances. Applications addressing specific issues in the incapable person’s best interest are more likely to succeed. Demonstrating the need for continuity and consistency in linked decisions made over time by the same person also increases the likelihood of approval.”
Vanessa Collins is a legal director in the Russell-Cooke private client team. She specialises in Court of Protection matters and deputyship applications for personal welfare, including for individuals with disabilities and special educational needs, as part of her broad practice. The Russell-Cooke Court of Protection team has experience handling complex matters in the area of capacity, including the issues that arise when more than one jurisdiction is involved. ■
Charles Russell Speechlys Expands Team in Guildford
Charles Russell Speechlys has welcomed four new trainees and an apprentice to its team in Guildford and has retained four trainees (James Elliott-Hughes, Katie Foulds, George Gilligan-Court and Bethany Catchpole) from its previous cohort, promoting them to Associates.
In addition, as part of its team expansion plans in Guildford, Alex Watson-Lee has joined the firm’s Private Wealth Disputes team as an Associate, John Olatunji has been appointed as Associate within the Dispute Resolution team, Emily Hermon-Taylor is now an Associate in the UK Private Client team, and Sophia Leeder has relocated from the firm’s London office to join the Guildford-based Family team as Senior Associate.
The new trainees, (Ben Haynes, Charlotte Hua, Emma Smart, Harry Hughes) and Apprentice, (Lyla Gilbert) will be working across a range of practice areas in their first seats including UK Private Client, Family and Private Wealth Disputes.
Newly promoted Associate, James Elliott-Hughes commented, “I began at Charles Russell Speechlys in Guildford as a paralegal in the Family team and then joined the trainee programme. The training has been incredibly hands-on. You get the opportunity to work with highly experienced lawyers and take on real responsibility in cases, with meaningful work for an interesting portfolio of clients, ranging from high-net-worth individuals through to large public corporations, all whilst being encouraged and supported along the way. This is an excellent way to learn – it accelerates your growth, improves your ability to be proactive and instils a strong focus on client service from the offset.
“I’m thrilled to have joined the Family team as an Associate in Guildford. The firm’s Family team is renowned for its work advising high-net worth private individuals, both domestically and internationally. I’m excited to continue to develop my career at such a distinguished and supportive firm.”
Sally Ashford, Partner and Head of the Guildford Office at Charles Russell Speechlys added, “We are delighted to be building a strong pipeline of high calibre lawyers for the future and to welcome new talent to our firm. A number of our partners began their careers as trainees with our firm, and we pride ourselves on nurturing talent, providing high quality training and exceptional career opportunities.”
Charles Russell Speechlys is an international law firm with a focus on private capital, at the intersection of personal, family and business. The firm’s UK-based offices are in London, Guildford and Cheltenham.
Charles Russell Speechlys employs over 130 staff at its Guildford office in One London Square and provides a full range of legal services to businesses and private clients in the region. For further information, please visit www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com ■
Exciting Times At Pearson Hards LLP
New Malden based Pearson Hards began life as Pearsons in 1963 and just over 30 years later joined forces with C A Maddin becoming Pearson Maddin. The firm expanded further in October 2012 when it merged with ACS Hards & Co, becoming Pearson Hards LLP and in October 2015 law firm John Chapman & Co became part of Pearson Hards LLP.
Thanks to recent expansion, the firm have appointed 4 new starters to the specialist teams over the last six months. On 1st October, Claire Darby will become a full equity partner of the firm and will adopt a Managing Partner role, which had previously been undertaken by David Hards. She will be continuing to work closely alongside the partners to help to continue to drive growth within the firm, whilst at the same time ensuring the delivery of a first class service to all their clients.
Emma Rothstein has also seen an expansion in her team over the last year due to an increase in demand for her family law expertise. The firm have recently said goodbye to Hatice Mustafa who has just retired as the residential conveyancing partner. Hatice, who has been working in Pearson Hards for over 25 years, was delighted to hand over her reins to Natalie Goddard, who has taken over the specialist conveyancing team as the new Head of Conveyancing. Ian Lipscombe will retire at the end of September and is replaced by Gemma Hughes as salaried Partner, who joins the firm from Covent Garden firm, Mackrell Solicitors.
The firm have recently rebranded and as well as unveiling a new logo, updated firm values, and a new tagline, the rebrand will in the next couple of months also see the launch of their new website, which better reflect the culture of Pearson Hards and helps bring its visions and values to life and support the firm’s growth ambitions. This updated brand better reflects the firm in 2024 as a forward-thinking, innovative, client-focused law firm.
Emma Rothstein, Partner, said: “Pearson Hards is a fantastic place for people to develop their legal career. Our commitment to being a caring and people-centered employer has greatly helped us recruit some tremendous legal talent over the years. This approach has helped to define us as a firm, as is our ability to recruit and retain employees from the local area and is a source of pride to myself and the partners of the firm. Pearson Hards prides itself in referrals and repeat clients, all of which demonstrate the quality legal and client services provided.”
Pearson Hards have served the people of ‘Surrey and Greater London’ for the past sixty years, and they are very proud of their history, people and the services they offer. Equally, the firm are delighted to continue to be a strong pillar within the local community.
Law, Chief Executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, said: “We value the partnership and support of Pearson Hards Solicitors in the many different areas of our borough business activities.
As Patron members, they came to us to propose the re-initiating of a New Malden Business Forum. The aim was to give a voice to local businesses, to allow them to network and build a bridge to the local council. With their guidance and backing, the Forum has been successfully running for two years now, attracts a healthy regular audience and brings together micro, SME and high street operators.
Beyond this important initiative, Pearson Hards have been key supporters and attendees at our business Expos, Women in Business Forum, Future of Work Summit and champions for the business community in their sponsorship at the Kingston Borough Business Awards. They even find time to help with the local NHS Trust and participate in the Night to Remember Kingston run. However, what underlines this wonderful engagement is the generous and spirited commitment from the whole team at Pearson Hards. There is an ethos where they all contribute, and share the load, which is a special and unique culture.
The Chamber is delighted to have such willing active contributors as Pearson Hards. They are reliable, committed and pleasure to work with, good and fair people. We look forward to developing the relationship, not just between ourselves, but to benefit the wider New Malden and Kingston business communities.”
The company vision of Pearson Hards over the years has been that ‘together we are looking to the future: a future where the core values that served our clients through the generations are still as important as ever, but where we embrace the changing faces of life and family, of communication and technology, and of clients’ expectations.’ This vision is as relevant today, as it was 60 years ago, and the firm are delighted that this new modern rebrand represents an exciting future and new era for Pearson Hards. ■
Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell celebrates 85 years in the community, by your side
As Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell publishes its Annual Report 2023/24 on 4 September 2024, the community service at the heart of Epsom & Ewell celebrated 85 years supporting local people.
Lisa Davis, CEO of Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, said:
“Citizens Advice was set up on the 4th of September 1939, just after the start of WW2. This was no coincidence, but a response to wartime demands never seen before in our history. Mass evacuations, bombing raids, missing loved ones, and food-rationing all faced the citizens of Epsom & Ewell.
“In times like these, people need reassurance, support, and action. At first, Citizens Advice’s role was to act as a switchboard, referring people to the government department the particular difficulty applied to.
“However, very soon Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell rose to the challenge and took up the mantle as a one-stop shop for citizens’ every concern. This legacy lives on – there is no issue, no person, no situation turned away by the Citizens Advice. For 85 years, we’ve been by the side of communities in landmark historical moments providing advice for those that need it.
“Whilst our core role may have changed since the days of WW2, we remain a beacon of hope for the local community. No matter the adversity, we approach it with empathy, professionalism, and selflessness. The parallels in the selflessness of our staff and volunteers in the 1940s and today are clear.
“After the war, we were crucial in rehousing refugees, evacuees, and returning Epsom & Ewell back to a new post-War society. After the recent lockdown, we stepped out of our homes into a post-pandemic society and a changed world. Citizens Advice has been the first port of call for many of those who have struggled mentally over the pandemic, had been put out of work, found themselves in debt or just did not know where to turn. Times may change, but Citizens Advice’s consistent support does not.” ■
