Annual net profits at Bevan Brittan, the Bristol-headquartered national law firm, rose by 14.2% to £8m as it broadened its markets and invested in its staff.
Figures for its 2016/17 financial year also show a 4.5% increase in turnover to £39.2m – with its gross profit figure coming in at £26.2m, a year-on-year improvement of 6.5%.
The firm, which also has offices in Birmingham, London and Leeds, said its strong public sector footprint had combined with client wins in the private sector to drive growth. 
The firm advises all England’s local authorities, a third of NHS bodies, 40 housing associations and more than 100 businesses. The private sector now represents 23% of total revenues.
Managing partner Duncan Weir, pictured, said: “By continuing to deliver sustainable growth and profitability, our year-end results reflect what has been a confident and successful year for the firm. We have a sound financial platform to further deliver excellent client service in the year ahead.
“Bevan Brittan is benefiting from a clear strategy to broaden our markets and range of clients, to continue to invest in our teams, new hires and new technology and the opening of our Leeds office.”
Developments during the year included:
- The reappointment to NHS Resolution and Places for People’s PFP procurement hub and appointment to advise on the Birmingham Smithfield regeneration scheme
- Being was named Legal Advisor of the Year (Public) and Legal Advisor of the Year Transactional (Public) at the HealthInvestor Awards 2017 in recognition of its ‘excellence and achievement in the business of healthcare’
- Bringing the jobs of 90 administrative staff working on contract at its four offices in-house so they are employed directly by the firm
- Increasing the number of partners to 58 – with four external hires and two internal promotions
- Bringing 11 graduate trainees into the firm – its highest intake since 2009 – while nine school leavers joined as apprentices and are now working towards becoming Chartered Legal Executives.
Senior partner Joanne Easterbrook added: “Strategically to achieve sustainable growth it is so important we invest in our future talent which is why we have increased our number of trainees and apprenticeships in 2016/17.
“I was particularly pleased that our two new partner promotions, Laura Brealey and Nathan Bradberry, joined us as trainees.”
