Irwin Mitchell promises further growth is in store
IRWIN Mitchell says it is planning further growth after announcing a strong set of results which saw a 3.9 per cent rise in turnover to £210.6 million with a six per cent increase in profits to £18.1 million.
Group chief executive Andrew Tucker said financial performance for 2014/15 reflected returns on both organic growth and other investment including acquisitions in previous years and said the business was wellplaced to capitalise on the opportunities in the changing legal market.
Income growth was seen across the group, including the growing business legal services division which, for the second consecutive year, delivered a double digit increase in turnover.
The personal legal services team recorded a two per cent increase in revenues despite a further anticipated fall in income within its volume personal injury work caused by the impact of law reform. Underlying growth in other services within this division was also strong.
Growth was also supported by group companies including IM Asset Management, debt legal services business Ascent and private wealth law firm Berkeley Law, acquired by the group during the year.
In addition to 29 partner-level appointments and ten additional partner promotions, the group also opened a new regional office in Cambridge.
Mr Tucker said: “2014/15 was a good year for our group and again demonstrates our continuing financial strength as we deliver our strategic objectives.
“In 2013/14, we took very deliberate decisions to sacrifice a proportion of profit to invest even further in our business and we are beginning to see the return on those and earlier investments with both an increase in income and profit before tax.
“We have continued with our investment strategy during 2014/15 and this is evident, not just in the acquisitions and partner hires we have made, but in our investment in high-profile marketing campaigns, our commitment to widening our UK-wide footprint with new office openings and further investment in our infrastructure.”
Since announcing its results the Birmingham office of the law firm has appointed an experienced family law partner to its team.
Clare Wiseman has joined from George Green Solicitors, where she represented a number of families at the top of their field in sport as well as developing expertise in advising police officers on family law and divorce issues.
She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel, vice-chair of Resolution West Midlands and a qualified collaborative lawyer.
Nicola Walker, partner and head of the family law team at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, said: “Clare has 20 years’ experience in advising clients going through divorce or experiencing family law issues and her skills will be a great asset for our team.”
Ms Wiseman added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Irwin Mitchell as we share the same values of putting the clients’ needs first and offering a bespoke and approachable service to people often going through a very tough time.”