SURREY firm Barlow Robbins celebrated its first full year since the December 2004 merger of Barlows and Robbins Olivey with a 24 per cent turnover rise to £11.2m.

The merger produced a firm split equally between private client and corporate and commercial work. Barlow Robbins benefits from being in the London commuter belt and boasts a list of high-net-worth individuals for private client work. It also has a thriving specialist schools practice, acting for private schools and universities.

The past year saw considerable investment by the firm in property, software and structure. It closed its small Chertsey office, with staff moving into an enlarged Woking base. Meanwhile, two offices in Guildford were merged into larger premises, allowing space for growth.