Travers Smith has added just two lawyers to its partnership in the firm's lowest promotions round for at least five years.

The new partners are commercial, IP and technology lawyer Ben Chivers and banking lawyer Jonathan Gilmour. The promotions come into effect from 1 July – the start of Travers' financial year.

Chivers was part of the Travers team who advised on the establishment of Tesco-backed coffee venture, Harris & Hoole, working opposite Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Last year the firm made up three new partners down from eight in 2012. Prior to this five partners were made up in 2011 and four in 2010.

Managing partner Andrew Lilley (pictured) said: "I am delighted to welcome Ben and Jonathan to the partnership. These promotions are very well deserved and reflect our commitment to quality. Ben and Jonathan have the depth of knowledge and experience which will ensure our clients continue to receive the very best advice now and in years to come."

This year has seen a 14% rise in overall global partner promotions across the UK's top 20 law firms. Female partners account for 31% (113) of the 370 global partner promotions in this year's round which is up on both last year (26%) and 2012 (27%).

Last week BLM – the £100m insurance-focused law firm formed this month through the merger of Berrymans Lace Mawer and HBM Sayers – announced 24 partner promotions, more than half of whom are women.