Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office has reported a strong 12 months delivering 9.5 per cent growth after the firm posted a record £85m for 2020/21, an increase of 5 per cent in turnover on the previous year. For Manchester this represents a 74% increase in fee income since 2017/18.
Key highlights during 2020/21 included advising on a number of high profile health sector projects including the Manchester Nightingale Hospital, the UK’s vaccine programme, acting for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) on its acquisition of North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH), advising on the BGF backed award winning investment in A Wilderness Way and acting for YHA on a series of high profile property transactions, including a partnership agreement to take over the grade II listed building, Trafford Hall, amongst others.
New regional client wins included, amongst others, Living Lens Enterprise, First American Financial Corporation, a number of NHS trusts across the North West, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and a series of Multi-Academy Trusts including Cheshire based Education Learning Trust and Greater Manchester Learning Trust. The firm was also reappointed to the NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative.
The 80 strong Manchester office also promoted Ian Deakin (employment) and Ed Pollard (health) to partner in the latest round of firmwide promotions whilst appointing Farzana Desai from KPMG to head up the firm’s first national immigration team.
Amanda Callaghan, head of the firm’s Manchester office, said: “These are an exceptional set of financial results by our Manchester office considering the challenging year we have all faced.
“We continue to be one of the fastest growing offices across our network. Our commitment to delivering exceptional client service, growing client base and investing in our people remain the key drivers behind our strong performance.
“Despite the pandemic, our growth plans for Manchester remain as ambitious as ever. We anticipate further growth over the next 12 months as we look to add further strength and depth to our service offering whilst focusing on helping our public and private sector clients navigate through these very challenging times.”
In May the firm also unveiled its new 3rd Floor office location at No1 Spinningfields.
Education partner Dai Durbridge, who has been leading on the firm’s Manchester office re-location, added: “It’s fantastic to be able to finally move into the new office. It offers our colleagues and clients a bright, vibrant and collaborative working environment and perfectly captures our brand values as an inclusive, flexible employer. As the lockdown eases we can’t wait to welcome colleagues and clients into our new space.”
