3. Chamberlink July Aug 57-80.qxp_Chamberlink 29/06/2021 12:02 Page 68
Sector Focus
Legal
Pandemic fails to dent law firm growth
Stephen Rosser: Pandemic was ‘unprecedented’
Law firm Clarke Willmott has seen its turnover shoot up by 2.5 per cent in the past year, to £53 million. This is despite the effects of the coronavirus, which the firm’s chief executive, Stephen Rosser, described as ‘unprecedented’. He said: “In unprecedented circumstances for the firm, our clients and the world as a whole, I am delighted with the excellent response of our team. “Our culture has always been recognised as being highly collegiate and supportive, in 2020 this really came to the fore. “There are many lessons from the pandemic, but the biggest for Clarke Willmott is the ability and willingness of our staff to adapt and to adopt new flexible ways of working, supporting each other and also our clients,” commented Rosser. “Our future is one that sees us committed to growth. This will continue to be based on excellent service for our clients, delivered by a team of lawyers and support staff who will operate on a fully flexible basis. “Other than for a few specific roles, our people will be encouraged to work where they can best deliver for our clients. If they want and need to be in the office, they can be. Equally if they can get their best work delivered by working remotely, then they will be supported in doing so if they wish.” During the pandemic, the firm surveyed staff about home working, and found that
Anna Cartledge
most of them (70 per cent) have welcomed the opportunity to work flexibly. However, some ten per cent of the firm’s staff did not enjoy the experience, primarily because of a preference for working in an office environment – although a massive 90 per cent said they wanted to carry on with remote working in some form or other.
‘If they can get their best work delivered by working remotely, then they will be supported in doing so’ Mr Rosser said: “As we look to the future we have been turning our minds to further supporting our staff to deliver their best performance. In addition to general management support, we have provided a range of broader initiatives including wellbeing activities such as online yoga and Zwift cycling sessions, art club, cream tea events and a coffee club that connects staff members across teams and offices for an informal get together.” The firm has also rewarded staff for their hard work with a two per cent bonus for all staff in addition to the firm’s usual bonus and pay review processes, an additional ‘bank holiday’ to coincide with the easing of lockdown and gifts including a luxury hamper.
Julie Russell
Appointees planning for the future Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has hired two new property specialists in the Midlands. They are legal planning partner Anna Cartledge, and legal planning legal director Julie Russell. Anna Cartledge, based in Birmingham, has more than 15 years’ experience in legal planning, compulsory purchase and highways law, acting for a variety of clients. She has a particular interest in heritage issues and has advised a number of local authorities and private sector developers on various listed building consents. Legal director Julie Russell has joined the firm’s Leicester office and has more than 14 years’ experience, working on all aspects of legal planning, development and infrastructure work. She has particular experience in dealing with nationally significant infrastructure projects. She also regularly deals with planning enforcement, public rights of ways issues, planning
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appeals, planning due diligence on site acquisitions and challenges to planning permissions. Anna Cartledge said: “I am very much looking forward to being part of such a highly regarded and market leading planning team, full of supportive people who want to work together to flourish and grow the business. There is a real energy and sense of dynamism across the firm as a whole.” Alex Smith, managing director of Shakespeare’s infrastructure and specialist markets business unit, said: “From small listed buildings to large development projects, planning is a complex area law and it requires specialist knowledge, both Anna and Julie have great expertise and are well-placed to advise clients across the Midlands and nationally.” Anna and Julie’s appointments follow a raft of announcements including 13 internal promotions, six appointments in Milton Keynes and a further two in the East Midlands.
HCR advises on major acquisitions Law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ (HCR) Wye Valley corporate team has advised financial services firm Tavistock Investments Plc on the sale of Tavistock Wealth Limited to Titan Wealth Services Ltd for £40m. HCR has also acted for Tavistock on the acquisition of the advisory business of Chater Allan Financial Services LLP for around £1.6m. Tavistock is an AIM-listed company offering independent financial advice and institutional quality investment management services to more than 30,000 clients across the UK. The HCR corporate team has advised Tavistock on various acquisitions in the past. The sale of its investment management arm will provide Tavistock with the funds needed to support a planned acquisition programme. HCR’s team on the latest deals was led by Jennifer Staples, who said: “It’s always good to help a longstanding client to achieve their growth plans and it was particularly interesting on this occasion to advise on a major disposal.” Tavistock chairman Oliver Cooke said: “Being supported by a firstclass team of lawyers takes a great deal of stress out of the process.” Harrison Clark Rickerbys has more than 780 staff and partners based at 12 offices in the UK.
