Budget spurs on Wilsons’ London plans

The introduction of a 50 per cent tax rate in last week’s Budget is accelerating the expansion plans of Salisbury firm Wilsons.

The firm’s managing partner Jonathan Stephens said the tax changes will result in a boom in business for private client lawyers, adding that the firm was looking to open in Lincolns Inn with a team of four.

“Our business has been London-based for many years and our partners spend a lot of time on the train,” said Stephens. “We took on a new head of charity last year [Moira Protani] and that’s spurred us on to find a bigger base.”

The new office will provide space for up to 20 lawyers. Stephens added that Wilsons was on the lookout for an international private client team.

“In recent years it’s been difficult to recruit, but that’s now changed,” said Stephens. “Our pull for recruitment is bigger if we’re in London.”