Shakespeare Martineau upbeat one year on from merger

THE chief executive of Shakespeare Martineau believes the first year since the law firms merged has “created a strong and agile firm and increased profits”.

Profit per equity partner was £235,000, slightly up on Shakespeares’ £225,000.

“This past 12 months has been about building a firm for the future,” said Andy Raynor. “We’ve taken two good businesses, with their ways of operating, incredible personnel, values, similarities and differences, and created a singular entity that is truly great.”

The firm’s turnover was £71.1m – annualised at £73m – which was slightly down on the combined £75.5m turnover of the two firms pre-merger.

During the year it acquired London-based Macrae & Co as well as moving to larger premises in the capital.

Mr Raynor added: “As the result of the merger we’ve created a strong and agile firm and increased profits – all the better to invest.”

Shakespeare Martineau said it has made more than 30 promotions over the course of the year, 10 of which have been to partner level, totalling 128 partners to date.

Following the merger, partners were understood to have been bound in for a year, which has just lapsed.