Muckle

Turnover (£m): 9.3
RPL (£k): 166

Newcastle-based Muckle kick-started the year with the hire of Watson Burton senior partner Robert Langley. This became a well-trodden path over the financial year, with Muckle ­revisiting Watson Burton for a further two ­laterals: insolvency chief Andrew Cawkwell and wealth management head Keith Hately.

Turnover at the firm was up by 8.5 per cent on the previous year’s, from £8.46m to £9.26m. The largest proportion of turnover came from Muckle’s corporate group, which generated 33 per cent, or £3m, of turnover. Revenue from the real estate group was up marginally, contributing £2.87m compared with £2.62m a year earlier.

The firm is loyal to its North East roots and has built a list of top clients in the region, including Durham County Cricket Club and One North East.