Member Article

Record turnover as Clarion tops £17m

Leeds-based law firm Clarion has reported another year of growth with revenues hitting a record high of £17.42m as (for year ending 31st May 2019) the firm continues to expand its team and services.

Marking its third consecutive year of double-digit growth, turnover at the firm has increased by 48% since its 2017 financial year end when it reached £11.74m. Clarion saw 24% growth to £14.52m in the year ending 31st May 2018, and its latest results show a 20% rise in revenues for 2018/19. Over the last year, the firm has increased to 230 colleagues including 25 partners, with Clarion recruiting another 45 people in the eight months since its latest financial year end in May.

“Over the last 12 years, Clarion has established a very clear offering to both clients and colleagues, we know exactly who we are and what we can do, and have effectively conveyed this to the market,” explains Roger Hutton, joint managing partner of Clarion. “Our brand is known and trusted, particularly among owner managed businesses which appreciate the time our lawyers invest in really getting under the skin of their businesses and the holistic commercial advice we provide. Our strategy has been to invest in developing the right culture which has enabled us to attract and retain a high calibre of talent and so provide an outstanding service.

“Regardless of the ongoing Brexit uncertainty, the Yorkshire market remains vibrant and brave, enabling the firm to continue to show impressive growth. Our recruitment is continuing to accelerate, we have taken on additional office space and expanded our services. We’ve seen a particularly strong performance in our real estate practice which has experienced phenomenal demand and has doubled in size in the last two years as well as broadening our capability into the field of property disputes. Our corporate team is regularly recognised as the top Yorkshire legal transaction adviser by Experian Market IQ, and our banking and finance practice is also going from strength to strength having substantially increased its offering.”

Roger continues: “Yorkshire is a great place for dynamic, entrepreneurial businesses and there are still lots of opportunities for them to grow, and ways in which we can support them. It is a buoyant market and people remain optimistic despite the current challenges. Fortunately, Leeds is continuing to attract lots of legal talent, giving clients plenty of choice and we’re proud to be part of such a flourishing professional community.

“Last year was another great year for Clarion and our team, and our upward trajectory has continued in the six months since our financial year end – we’ve already seen upward movement in the first quarter of our new financial year and have made a substantial number of investments. The signs are genuinely encouraging and we are looking forward with optimism to the next 12 months.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .