The partners at leading private client firms Charles Russell and Speechly Bircham have voted to merge, creating a 170-partner firm with turnover of about £135m.

Charles Russell Speechlys, headquartered in London, will open for business on 1 November. The firm will have offices and networks across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, the US and the Caribbean.

Senior partner at Charles Russell, Christopher Page, said: ‘One of the many things we share with Speechly Bircham is our reading of private wealth in the fullest sense of that term.

‘The beauty of the new combination is that it gives us real scale - and the ability to invest - across our practice groups. It will enable us to address the evolving needs of clients within what we describe as the “wealth pyramid”.’

James Carter (pictured), managing partner of Speechly Bircham, said: ‘The real work starts now. Our integration team, headed by David Green, is tasked with finding the very best elements of both firms and making them work effectively together. 

‘It will also be looking at workflow, team combinations and optimal use of office accommodation.’

He added: ‘Patterns of global wealth and business are shifting and changing at an unprecedented rate: we aim to be out ahead of them.’