National law firm Clarke Willmott has re-elected Stephen Rosser as chief executive based in its Bristol office for a further term which will extend his tenure to April 2019.
As part of the re-election of Stephen, pictured, the firm has adopted a new three-year strategy based on continued growth following a strong financial performance. 
Annual turnover in 2013/14 grew by 9.4% to £36.2m with profit up by 33%.
Current year results are expected to continue this trend with its performance at the end of the third quarter ahead of expectations, meaning the firm could exceed its budgeted turnover above £38m.
It has also remained committed to reducing debt to free up investment in future opportunities.
Some 55 new employees have been recruited in the past 12 months across its six offices in Bristol, Taunton, Southampton, London, Birmingham and Manchester. The firm, whose practices range from corporate and commercial, intellectual property, employment and HR consultancy, to personal injury and clinical negligence, will also shortly be opening an office in Cardiff.
Clarke Willmott also said staff satisfaction was high with an overwhelming majority rating it as a ‘great place to work’ in its latest survey, completed by more than two-thirds of the 450-strong workforce.
More than 90% said they had a good understanding of the firm’s strategy and values, that it was a family friendly place to work, they were proud to work there and got a sense of personal achievement from their work.
Among the most frequently used words to describe Clarke Willmott’s culture were ‘open’, ‘friendly’ and ‘professional’.
Stephen Rosser said: “No one in professional services has had an easy time over the past couple of years so we are delighted that we have come through a difficult economic period and started to see real growth.
“I am very pleased to have been asked to continue to lead the firm for the next four years with a strategy that will focus on growing market share in our key target sectors, achieving faster and enhanced service delivery in all practice areas through continued innovation, and maximising our geographical spread.
“We appreciate that people are critical to the success and growth of the business and so I am particularly pleased with the results of our staff satisfaction survey. Growth should go hand in hand with good staff morale.”
Stephen was first elected as chief executive in May 2010. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm, and chairs its executive board which defines and implements the firm’s strategy.
Prior to taking his management role, he was a member of the commercial property division, with particular expertise in regeneration, development and funding. Among the long-term and complex projects he worked on was the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
He joined Clarke Willmott in 1982 and trained with the firm. He is also chairman of The Bristowe (Fair Rent) Housing Association, a not-for-profit organisation which owns and manages 70 affordable housing units in and around Bristol, and a trustee of Penny Brohn Cancer Care.
