Bircham promotes duo to partnership

Bircham Dyson Bell has made up two to the partnership, bringing the overall number of partners to 52.

Benjamin James and Elizabeth Neale have been promoted into the commercial and private client departments respectively.

Managing partner Guy Vincent said: "They've both worked long and hard with us and join growing departments."

James is a data protection specialist who joins a team that now includes three partners, ;while ;Neale focuses on estate planning and probate for UK families and non-doms. With her addition the firm's strategic private client department boasts 10 partners.

This year's figure is a drop on last year's total of seven, which also included just one woman.