Ward Hadaway hikes turnover and sets up Newcastle office

North East firm Ward Hadaway has boosted turnover by 18 per cent at the financial mid-year point.

If business continues in a similar vein for the second half of the year, turnover will exceed £25m.

Managing partner Jamie Martin described the rise as "spot on target", and attributed the growth to "the rate of activity in the region".

The growth is across the range of the firm's practice areas, he said.

In a sign of ambition, the Tyneside player is also opening a new office on Newcastle's Quayside, as first reported on www.thelawyer.com (16 January). Around 30 staff from its personal injury, corporate recovery and insolvency teams will relocate into 7,500sq ft of newly built office space in the Trinity Gardens area of the city, creating additional space for growth at the firm's existing premises.

Later this year a sublet of the second floor at Keel Row House to a major bank will expire, freeing up 10 per cent of the firm's total office space.

Ward Hadaway's partnership has grown by five since the financial year-end, from 54 to 59. Hires include a three-lawyer team from Eversheds in October 2006, including partner Melanie Pears, the firm's new head of public sector.