PEP nears £500k at Clarke Willmott

Top-100 national firm Clarke Willmott has warned of ‘a more challenging year’ ahead after posting increases in both income and profits.

Profit per equity partner rose 14% to £489,000, and revenue by 2% to £60.8m, in the year to 30 April. The firm had over £13m in the bank at year end.

The results mark the end of the 13-year leadership of Stephen Rosser, who Clarke Willmott said had ‘transformed’ the firm. He stepped down as chief executive on 30 April to be succeeded by Peter Swinburn, previously a managing director.

Rosser said: ‘I am delighted with yet another year of excellent performance. Ever since I became CEO, I have been working to build a sustainable, long-term future for the generations that will follow. Excellent client service and great career experiences for our people has been at the heart of everything I have worked towards.’

The firm said it has a ‘reputation for its culture’ that includes a commitment to fully flexible/hybrid working and supporting a healthy work-life balance.

‘We are transforming our property portfolio to better meet our future needs,’ said Swinburn. Clarke Willmott has already moved or redesigned offices in Southampton, Birmingham and Taunton, and in 2023 will move into a new, ‘high-spec’ Bristol office at Assembly C. There are also plans for a new Cardiff office.

The firm also has offices in London and Manchester. 

'I anticipate that 2023/24 will be a more challenging year in some ways than we have experienced recently, given economic and market headwinds,’ Swinburn added. ‘This said, one of the firm’s great strengths is the diversity of our business.'

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