Client upturn prompts Turcan Connell London expansion

Scottish private client and charities specialist Turcan Connell is heading to London following a recent surge in its international client base.

The firm's joint senior partner Douglas Connell told The Lawyer that the firm had picked up more clients based in England and overseas and as a result was examining ways to better advise those clients.

Connell said: "Because of this client demand we're looking at various options, of which the most likely is that we'll create some form of London presence in 2007."

However, he said a merger was not part of the firm's growth strategy and that it planned to grow organically.

Turcan Connell focuses on advising private clients on a range of legal issues, particularly tax and investments. This year it also bolstered its family law practice and promoted associate Philippa Cunniff to the partnership.

The firm celebrates its tenth anniversary next year and is anticipating that turnover will reach £17.5m. In 2005-06 Turcan Connell's income rose by 15 per cent to hit £15.5m, research for The Lawyer Rising 50 2006 revealed.

As well as its Edinburgh headquarters, Turcan Connell also has a small office in Guernsey focusing on international trust services.