Profits soar 10% to £20.3m as Clarke Willmott bucks the downturn and plots further expansion
While much of the legal sector braces for economic headwinds, national law firm Clarke Willmott has posted a bumper year — and it’s only getting started. The firm has reported a 10% jump in annual profits, reaching £20.3 million, with turnover climbing 9% to £64.7 million.
Unlike many competitors tightening belts or shelving expansion plans, Clarke Willmott remains firmly on the front foot. Flush with a £9 million cash reserve and zero debt on its balance sheet, the firm declared itself “perfectly placed” for fresh investment as it charges into the 2025/26 financial year.
Chief executive Peter Swinburn couldn’t have been clearer: “We remain steadfast in our independence and are committed to ongoing investment to further develop our firm. Despite the challenging environment as we move into FY26, we recognise the importance of not resting on our past successes.”
This ambition comes off the back of robust growth in three high-value sectors: private client, corporate, and strategic property. While other firms scramble to streamline or scale back, Clarke Willmott is pushing deeper into its most lucrative practice areas — and appears intent on broadening its footprint even further.
Embed from Getty ImagesFounded in 1888 in the South West, the firm has grown to encompass seven offices across England and Wales, employing around 640 staff, including 110 partners. Despite its heritage, the firm shows no signs of resting on its laurels. Its results suggest a modern, agile operation capitalising on opportunity even as uncertainty grips the wider economy.
Swinburn also took a moment to distance Clarke Willmott from recent industry backsliding on ethics and sustainability. “We are committed to sustainability and social inclusion,” he said, pointedly noting that some legal practices have “rowed back” from such principles in the past year. His message: Clarke Willmott is here to grow — but not at the cost of its values.
For a firm of its size, the decision to keep its independence — rather than merge or sell — stands out. While many regional and national firms have been snapped up or consolidated in recent years, Clarke Willmott remains defiantly solo. Its strong financial performance may now give it the edge to compete head-on with bigger rivals, without compromising its identity.
The firm’s next moves will be closely watched in a sector where cautious retrenchment is the norm. With no debt shackling growth and a solid year behind them, Clarke Willmott is poised to make strategic investments in both people and infrastructure — all while staying true to its roots.
As the firm prepares to file its official accounts for 2024/25, the message is loud and clear: Clarke Willmott isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. And in a market littered with cautionary tales, that’s news worth watching.