New dawn for Berryman as merger completes
The merger of Nottingham law firm Berryman with Birmingham-based Shakespeare Putsman has completed this morning. The firms behind the deal, which creates a Midlands-wide company employing 470 people, said the aim was to “grow revenue by £50m”. Berryman will continue to trade under its name until the new region-wide firm unveils a new brand in March 2011.
Paul Wilson, chief executive of the firm, stressed that the company was “committed to Nottingham”.
He added: “Within the next three to four years, the strategy is to grow revenue to £50m, by taking full advantage of our now very strong foothold in both the East and West Midlands, and the creation of a leading Midlands law firm.
"Through our Midlands-wide presence and key locations in Birmingham, Stratford and Nottingham, the intention is to grow organically and through merger to achieve our turnover target, and to build a premiere Midlands firm with a real focus on quality.”
The company is expected to turnover about £30m per year.
Berryman’s Richard Brackenbury said: “Here in Nottingham, the firm will continue to trade under the Berryman name and its excellent team will maintain its reputation as a pioneering, dynamic and ambitious law firm.
"These like-minded characteristics are what make the merger between Berryman and Shakespeare Putsman an ideal fit, which for clients is excellent news as they will continue to benefit from a first class legal team on their doorstep, which from today, has even more resource at its disposal.”
The merger was completed as Berryman revealed its latest recruit, Nicola Rae, who joins the company’s employment team.
Rae joins the team, headed by Hilary Campion, after two years at Nottingham firm Richard Nelson.
She has worked for both national and local businesses on the range of employment law matters, including compromise agreements, employment contracts and tribunal work, acting for both claimants and respondents.
Rae said: “Berryman has long taken a fresh approach to client service, with a strong and competent team of fee earners and support staff, acting for a broad range of corporate and private clients, including high-net worth individuals and company directors.
"Such a pedigree, combined with the opportunity to once again work alongside Hilary, represents a great professional opportunity for me, and one that was too good to miss. It is an exciting time for the firm in general, and specifically the employment team.”
