PUTSMANS has enjoyed a moderate financial year, boosting turnover to £11.5m from £10.5m this time last year. However, the firm maintains that the modest rise in revenue has been enhanced by a vigorous net profit of £2m this year.

The figures were certainly suitably enticing to local firm Shakespeares, Putsmans soon-to-be merger partner. The merger is intended to better prepare the two firms for the post-Clementi legal world, as well as enabling them to storm the already crowded Birmingham mid-market.

While the firm is aiming for the mid-market, it stresses that it is not a stepping stone for a move to national level on the Bevan Brittan or Clarke Willmott model.

The firm has also made changes to its management tier. Former managing partner Julia Holden has returned to a fee-earning role as head of insurance and in her stead the firm has reintroduced the CEO role it abandoned five years ago.

Ex-Olswang partner and former St Phillips CEO Paul Wilson, who joined Putsmans in July, fills the new post. Leslie McGowan was also hired as 'head of people' in September from Wragge & Co and Ian Smit was brought in as head of operations from St Phillips in August.