Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has seen its global revenue rise 5 per cent in the first half of the 2015/16 financial year, up from £56.8m to £59.5m.

Although the firm said its half-year results were up more than 7 per cent on a currency-to-currency basis, these figures equated to a 5 per cent rise when converted back to sterling. 

Last year’s half-year results saw WFW’s global revenue rise by 8 per cent to £56.8m, while turnover in 2014/15 grew by 7 per cent to £125m. 

“We’re on track and moving towards our budgeted growth of 11 per cent for 2015/16 financial year,” joint managing partner Chris Lowe told The Lawyer. “We’ve been hiring, particularly in the energy space, and our strong lateral programme is beginning to bite.” 

This year the firm recruited Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson finance duo Sian Withey and Rob McBride to launch its debt securities and structured finance practice, as well as Clyde & Co corporate partner Nigel Taylor. 

It has also been focusing on the transport and energy sectors, with Lowe adding that he wants WFW to be the “go-to firm for the industry”.

The firm recently set foot in Vietnam via an association with LVN & Associates, where it intends to work on matters in the energy, natural resources and transport sectors. It also launched its first office in the Middle East last year.