Charles Russell Speechlys reports continued growth with long term focus on internationalisation

Charles Russell Speechlys today announces its 2024/25 financial results, with an increase in firmwide revenue of 11% and growth of 18% internationally.

Firmwide profits are up by 3.7%, from £45.8 million (FY23/24) to £47.5 million (FY24/25), with 84% revenue growth across Asia and strong contributions from its European offices in Luxembourg, Paris, Milan and Switzerland.

The UK business has grown by 39% since 2020 and enjoyed annual revenue growth of 9% to £190.3 million from £174.4 million. Profit per equity Partner (PEP) increased from £661k to £681k.

Charles Russell Speechlys is committed to delivering on its ambitious international private capital growth strategy, with the goal of becoming the leading firm of choice in all major global wealth hubs. The Firm has adopted of a truly innovative culture through investments in technology and the creation of its Advanced Client Solutions team, and has grown sustainably in other areas to enhance client service, for example by opening new offices in key wealth hubs and launching the Private Office.

Simon Ridpath, Charles Russell Speechlys’ Managing Partner, comments:

"We are delighted with our growth this year, as our private capital strategy continues to flourish across our global business. Internationalisation is key to our growth, with a strong focus on key centres of wealth. We've added strategic hires in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, opened a new office in Milan, and invested in innovation and technology to better serve our clients. We’re committed to investing in our people and essential resources for best-in-class client service - a strategy we plan to maintain.

Simon continues:

Our Firm is well-positioned to guide clients through high-profile transactions, personal matters and complex disputes and to deliver premium advice to both new and established wealth. I am thankful to everyone at the Firm for their hard work and focus on delivering exceptional service to meet our clients’ complex legal needs, and to our clients for the trust they continue to place in us.

Strategic investments in FY24/25 include:

• 15 lateral and senior hires made to the Firm globally. Strategically targeting areas of growth including Litigation & Disputes, Corporate, M&A, Corporate Tax, Financial Services & Funds, and Real Estate.
• The promotion of 12 individuals to Partner, effective 1 May 2025, in addition to 1 Counsel, 1 Legal Director and 16 Senior Associate promotions.
• The growth of the new international tax team of US-qualified attorneys who can provide US legal advice to clients based in APAC.
• A new office in Milan, Italy which continues to go from strength to strength, becoming a market leading private capital offering in a short space of time. The team is growing at an impressive rate, and we look forward to welcoming and announcing new faces to our Milan office in the months to come.
• Upgrading of premises in several key locations including London, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Zurich.
• Growth of the ACS team to 20 new hires. Launched in April 2024, the Advanced Client Solutions team, managed by Joe Cohen, directs the Firm’s strategy for innovation with Generative AI to enhance client support.
• The introduction of the Firm’s 'Sidekick' AI tool in all offices in May 2024, and over 93% of employee usage with an average of over 1,200 uses per day.
• The launch of the ‘Russell Up’ programme in early 2024, which incorporates innovation into trainee solicitors’ contracts. Many of these ideas are solutions that will not only positively impact the Firm and improve its systems and processes but will also deliver value to clients in the years to come.

Senior lateral hires in the year FY24/25:

• Funds Partner, Gaven Cheong, Hong Kong
• Planning & Infrastructure Senior Consultant, Kevin Gibbs, UK
• Financial Services Regulation & Funds Partner, Racheal Muldoon, UK
• Dispute Resolution Partner, Maher Al Nashar, Dubai
• Corporate Partner, Tun Zaw Mra, Singapore
• Dispute Resolution Partner, Aline Wey Speirs, Switzerland,
• Financial Services Regulation & Funds Partner, Charlotte Hill, UK
• Private Client Partner, Jonathan Burt, UK
• UK Tax Consultant Carolyn Steppler, Switzerland
• Corporate Tax Partner, James Stewart, UK
• Head of Capital Markets and Regulation, Ahmad Anani, Qatar
• Employment Partner, Dan Pollard, UK
• Real Estate Partner, Rafe Courage, UK
• Corporate and Commercial Partner, Shirley Fu, Hong Kong
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution Partner, Nicola Jackson, Dubai  

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