Roythornes

After a difficult 2010–11 when Spalding-based Roythornes saw its turnover fall from £10.6m to £9m, things perked up a little in 2011–12 with the firm posting total revenues of £9.6m.

In an effort to tighten its financial management, Roythornes transferred its support staff to the corporate member of its LLP and, following the success of outsourcing IT support several years ago, opted to outsource part of its human resources function to NorthgateArinso in 2011. Net profit increased by just over 17 per cent to £3.51m and average profit per equity partner increased to £167,000. 

While property constituted 42 per cent of 2011–12 turnover, Roythornes continued to diversify its offering and now has a growing focus on agriculture and food, particularly in its Newmarket and Nottingham offices. In 2012 the firm also launched an in-house Agri-academy to help keep its lawyers abreast of the latest developments in agricultural law.

The firm moved into new premises in Nottingham in December 2012 and also plans to expand its offices in Spalding and Peterborough. A merger is not out of the question, according to Roythornes’ head of agriculture Vember Mortlock. Roythornes has also applied for an Alternative Business Structure licence.