Progress in line with law firm’s flotation schedule, trading update reveals

Andrew Leaitherland

Manchester-based DWF, the international law firm, said trading in the six months to October 31, is in line with expectations, with first half revenue growth of not less than 10% across the group, the vast majority driven by organic activity.

The firm provides complex, managed and connected services and became the first main market premium listed legal business when it floated on the London Stock Exchange in March this year.

Today’s trading update, ahead of its results announcement next month, revealed that the group has continued to deliver on its stated strategy and the board is pleased with first half revenue growth.

International and connected services continue, as expected, to deliver the strongest revenue growth in the period with increases of approximately 29% and 18%, respectively.

Insurance and commercial services delivered combined organic growth of approximately five per cent, in line with guidance.

This growth was weighted towards the insurance division and the litigation practice group within commercial services, reflecting DWF’s strong counter-cyclical offering.

Net debt of £49.5m reflects a £9.5m reduction on the same period last year in line with management expectations for the half-year.

The increase versus April 19, primarily reflects the normal cyclicality of partner tax payments in addition to the £3m dividend payment in September.

DWF increased net partner headcount by 20 on a full-time equivalent basis in the period through its successful partner hiring and promotion programme, demonstrating its ability to attract and retain talent.

This includes the recruitment of 15 senior hires, 14 partners and one director, to its international business in the final two months of the period.

The company also has a healthy lateral hire pipeline demonstrating the attractiveness of its global platform to deliver complex, managed and connected services.

DWF announced a 1.25p dividend per share on November 13, which represents the first interim dividend in respect of the six month period ended October 31, 2019, in line with the company’s stated dividend policy as detailed in its prospectus.

The company will announce its interim results on December 11.

Regarding its outlook, it said activity levels and the second half pipeline of work remain robust, supported further by the recent partner hires in international and the activation of the BT managed services contract.

M&A activity also remains part of the group strategy with a pipeline of carefully chosen targets being assessed for feasibility.

The board remains confident in DWF’s prospects and anticipates that it will deliver further revenue and profit growth in line with management’s expectations.

Chief executive Andrew Leaitherland, said: “The first half of the year has seen a number of important milestones achieved as we continue to deliver on our IPO promises, developing the business in our first year as a listed entity.

“We have launched in Poland, made significant investment in partner hires globally, expanded our German operation with a presence in Dusseldorf, and seen a robust UK performance, particularly in insurance and litigation, despite the political uncertainty.”

He added: “The group also won a significant contract with BT, demonstrating the progress of our managed services platform.

“Going forward, we will continue to supplement this organic activity with selective M&A, with our associations and broad market reach providing a strong pipeline of opportunities.

“We continue to be recognised for our innovative approach, as highlighted by the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards, and remain focused on delivering our strategy and purpose of transforming legal services through our people, for our clients.”

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