Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon is pleased to report a 9.2% increase in turnover, rising from £163.0 million to £178.0 million for the financial year ending 30 April 2025. Net profit increased by 25% from £50.5 million to £63.0 million, while Profit Per Equity Partner (PEP) remained stable at £660k.
This marks another year of sustained growth for the firm, following an increase of 27% revenue growth in 2023/24 and building on the momentum of its BAmbitious Strategy launched in 2021. Over the first four years of the strategic cycle, Burges Salmon has achieved revenue growth of nearly 50% and expanded its headcount by around 40% from 850 to over 1,200 people across its offices.
In recognition of our people’s ongoing major contribution to this continued growth and strong financial performance in the 2024/25 financial year, Burges Salmon has awarded a firm-wide bonus of 5% of annual salary.
Sector and practice area growth
The firm’s sector-focused approach continues to deliver results, with Built Environment (18%), Energy & Utilities (11%), and Financial Services (22%) leading the way. Practice areas such as Construction & Engineering (12%), Corporate (15%), Pensions & Lifetime Savings (15%), Planning & Compulsory Purchase (14%), Real Estate (25%), and Private Client (17%) all achieved double-digit revenue growth.
Client-centricity and innovation
Burges Salmon’s growth in the 2024/25 financial year was underpinned by the firm’s continued focus on client-centricity, and targeted investments in people and technology. Highlights include:
- High-profile appointments to the Severn Trent, Financial Conduct Authority and National Grid legal panels
- Major wins and ongoing mandates for a range of clients including the DfT, Oxygen Conservation, AOTI, Rock Road, Royal Sens, Virgin, FirstGroup, Pandox, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, The Electric Car Scheme, DESNZ, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Tritax Big Box REIT
- Significant leadership growth in 2024/25, with 9 partners and 17 directors appointed, reflecting the firm’s commitment to career development and succession planning. This leadership growth has continued at pace into 2025/26 with a further 17 new partners having been appointed since 1 May 2025.
- Launching its Digital Enablement Programme and being recognised by Microsoft as a market leader in legal tech innovation for adoption of generative AI tools
- Recognised as one of Europe’s most innovative law firms by the Financial Times, in The FT Innovative Lawyers report
International and client growth
The firm’s differentiated international model of working with like minded independent firms across the globe has driven international referral revenue to around 15% of total turnover, with strong contributions from Germany and the US. Burges Salmon continues to deepen relationships with existing clients through its Key Account Management Programme and broaden its reach via targeted campaigns in Energy Disputes, Net Zero, ESG, and emerging areas such as floating wind and legal tech and AI.
Responsible business and people development
Burges Salmon’s Responsible Business agenda remains central to its strategy. The firm has been recognised for its leadership in social mobility, with 80% of emerging talent now state school educated, and solicitor apprenticeship applications exceeding those for trainees. The firm is proud to now have 19 Legal Apprentices and 24 Business Services Apprentices.
The firm has also made significant progress in career development, work allocation, and family leave policies, reflecting its commitment to being an exceptional place to work.
Burges Salmon was pleased to:
- Retain its Platinum ‘We invest in people’ accreditation, following its initial (Platinum) accreditation in 2021
- Be recognised for its commitment to being a responsible business in the 2024 Lamp House Annual Report (one of only ten firms across the UK, US and Canada to be featured in the ‘Leading Firms’ category and ranked in the top 5% across the three leaderboards – people, planet and governance).
Roger Bull, Burges Salmon’s Managing Partner, comments: “This year’s results reflect the strength of our strategic focus and the dedication of our people. Our growth is not only financial but cultural and operational, driven by our commitment to our clients, our markets, and our values.
Ross Fairley, Burges Salmon’s Senior Partner, adds: “We continue to invest in the future, embracing innovation and ensuring that Burges Salmon remains a resilient, inclusive, and ambitious firm. As we enter the final year of our BAmbitious Strategy, we are proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about what lies ahead. Our people are the heart of our success, and together we will continue to build a firm that flourishes.”
Burges Salmon has grown exponentially since its Edinburgh launch in 2019, in that time expanding both its headcount, from a founding team of just seven to now a 100+-strong office, and its Atria One premises on Morrison Street. The firm has established itself as a law firm of choice in the Scottish market and is regularly engaged in some of the most nationally significant projects in the region.
