Setfords, Knights and Ward Hadaway have reported strong growth in their latest financial results, with the latter enjoying record turnover of £53.6 million in 2025/25, up 11.6% year-on-year.
The firm, which recently merged with Teesside firm The Endeavour Partnership and opened a new Birmingham office, is on target to achieve its objectives of turnover growth of more than 50% within the next five years and doubling in size over the next decade.
“Our ambition is to grow in a way that is sustainable and aligned with our values,” Ward Hadaway’s managing partner Steve Petrie (pictured) said.
“The merger with The Endeavour Partnership and the opening of our Birmingham office are clear examples of this approach. They broaden our expertise and geographic reach while allowing us to maintain the culture and standards that underpin the firm’s success.”
Revenue and growth increased across all departments and offices, with Manchester achieving revenue growth of 42%. The year also saw substantial people growth across the firm, with investment at all levels to support increasing client demand and the expansion of core practice areas.
“We have delivered consistent performance across our offices and service lines, which is particularly significant given the wider economic and market conditions,” Petrie said. “Our focus has remained on building strong teams, investing for the long term and delivering high-quality advice to clients across all sectors.”
At Setfords, revenue for the 2025 financial year has increased 35% year-on-year, taking the total to £67.7 million, with a gross profit of £24.6 million (up 36%). The strong organic growth has been driven by continued lawyer recruitment and sustained investment in its platform, the firm said, with more lawyers joining Setfords than any other UK law firm for the second consecutive year.
“Our FY25 results demonstrate another year of strong, market-leading organic growth,” said Setfords chief financial officer Angus McDowell.
“Revenue growth was underpinned by more lawyers joining Setfords than any other UK law firm for the second consecutive year, reflecting the strength of our platform model and the value it delivers to consultant lawyers and clients.”
Co-CEOs Guy and Chris Setford added:
“As the business enters its twentieth year, we remain focused on building a platform that works for lawyers and clients alike. Our investment in our people, technology and infrastructure gives us confidence in our ability to sustain momentum at scale.”
Setfords was one of the first firms to scale the consultant model in the UK and has been named the fastest-growing firm in The Lawyer UK Top 100.
Knights, which announced revenue of £162 million in its last full year financial results thanks to its ambitious acquisition strategy, has announced its latest half-year financial highlights, including a revenue increase of 30%, to £103.2 million.
“The first half has been a period of significant progress for Knights, as we firmly returned the group to organic growth, while continuing to scale the platform we have developed over many years,” David Beech, CEO of Knights, said.
“We are attracting top talent, with ambitious, high-calibre lawyers recognising and choosing our corporate structure, collaborative culture and the opportunity we provide to develop within a firm of both national scale and local reach. We have also significantly expanded our presence in the South East, and Wales, whilst effectively integrating prior period acquisitions including our largest to date.
“Looking further ahead, the combination of our strengthened platform and operational management structure, ongoing disciplined financial management, approach to harnessing technology, and the growing awareness of our national brand, positions Knights well to continue driving sustainable, profitable growth beyond the current financial year.”
Knights has added 46 senior fee earners to its team in the first half of its latest financial year, strengthened its operational management team with new client services directors and a new chief technology officer role, and upgraded its office network across the UK.
The firms says it is confident it will deliver a full year performance in line with market expectations.
