Bevan Brittan has seen profits per equity partner (PEP) increase by 35%, the firm announced today (16 July).

PEP for 2008-09 stood at £222,000 compared with £164,000 in 2007-08, with the increase coming against a marginal dip in turnover to £41.1m compared to £41.6m the previous year. Overall profits increased by 56% to £8.6m.

Bevan Brittan chief executive Andrew Manning said that practice areas were relatively flat, including corporate, real estate and litigation, despite new client wins including Lloyds TSB Insurance, Sheffield City Council and Supacat. Manning predicted that revenue and profits would remain static in 2009-10.

Manning said: "We are pleased to be able to announce a greatly improved set of financial results. We made substantial cost reductions in 2007-8 and this has resulted in a significant increase in profit this year."

He added: "The current market conditions are challenging but we believe that the foundation of our business success is based on our diverse portfolio across three core markets of health, communities and local government and major corporates. This diversity has underpinned the stability of our revenue."

Last summer, Bevan Brittan concluded a redundancy programme affecting 30 jobs including six fee earners – two of which were Birmingham salaried partners specialising in licensing and tax work.

Bevan Brittan's results came after Pannone announced a dip in revenue of 1.4% to £53.9m for 2008-09, compared with £54.7m the previous financial year. PEP dropped by 18% to £228,000, down from £278,000 in 2007-2008.