Bircham Dyson Bell

Turnover (£m): 31
Average PEP: 230
Equity spread (£k): 170-340
Profit margin (%): 23
RPL (£k): 282

Bircham Dyson Bell (BDB)’s turnover fell by nearly 3 per cent in 2010-11 to £31m, but net profit fell more substantially. In 2009-10 it was £7.8m; in 2010-11 it was £7m, equating to a 10.3 per cent drop.

Average profit per equity partner (PEP) has taken on a rollercoaster-like trajectory over the past few years. In 2008-09 it plunged 26 per cent, only to rise by 18.5
per cent the following year. In 2010-11 it dropped by 18.1 per cent, from £281,000 in 2009-10 to £230,000 in 2010-11.

BDB is particularly well known for its residential property practice and niche offering of PR, planning and parliamentary advice. According to the firm, in 2010-11 real estate and litigation were the top performers.

The firm has three classes of partner - full equity, reserve share equity and salaried - and operates a modified lockstep with points reviewed every three years. Points are awarded based on overall contribution and there is also a separate bonus pot.

BDB’s partnership board is chaired by ­senior partner John Stephenson, and ­includes managing partner Guy Vincent, alongside four elected partners. It also has a management board, comprising the heads of department and three non-lawyers (directors) who have responsibility between them for risk, finance, facilities, HR, marketing, business development and strategy.

The firm has been in talks with Dundas & Wilson regarding a tie-up between their ­parliamentary practices for a specific ­project.