Ward Hadaway Announces Record Financial Results

Driven by strong growth across our Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle offices in a wide cross section of service areas, it demonstrates the firm’s robust financial health and commitment to sustainable growth.

Managing Partner Steven Petrie said: “These financial results from 2023-24 represent a really strong foundation on which to build, as we strive to realise our ambitious long-term growth plans, remaining independent and increasing our turnover by over 50% in the next five years and achieving £100m by 2034.  It’s really encouraging to see the positive impact our strategic investments are already having on our business, including our ability to attract, recruit, retain and engage excellent people to the firm.”

Key hires in core practice areas and our focus on developing emerging talent remain a consistent theme. In May last year, we expanded our leadership team with the appointment of Nick Gholkar as Executive Partner of the Newcastle office to work alongside Emma Digby and Liz Bottrill who hold the equivalent role in the Leeds and Manchester offices.  During 2024, the firm also added eight new partners spanning a range of service sectors, part of more than 100 new colleagues who joined across the course of the year. This marks a critical step in Ward Hadaway’s vision to strengthen its expertise and deliver exceptional client service.

A key focus of our strategy is our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture where people thrive. In this last year, we appointed 14 new trainee solicitors and one solicitor apprentice across our offices bringing the total headcount to over 500.

These initiatives reflect the firm’s ongoing investment in the next generation of legal professionals, providing structured training and support to ensure their development and career success.

Petrie continued: “We provide an environment where individuals can excel at every level, offering guidance, growth opportunities and the tools to fulfil their full potential. Our people are fundamental to our success.  We are well-positioned to build on what we have already achieved and to deliver on our ambitious growth objectives.”

To adapt to the challenges of a rapidly changing legal landscape, the firm has made significant investments in technology and established a firm wide Innovation team to explore the role of AI in delivering legal services. Ward Hadaway also remains a leader in responsible business practices, working on initiatives to reduce its carbon impact, making contributions to over 50 charities and maintaining a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. We are also in the process of investing significantly in the refurbishment of its Newcastle Quayside offices.

With a record year behind it and a clear strategy for the future already achieving demonstrable results, the firm will continue to focus on delivering tailored, high-quality commercial legal advice, while fostering innovation and supporting the development of its people and services to meet the needs clients.