Eversheds has reported that its revenue in the last financial year was flat as its profit per equity partner (PEP) inched up by 2%.

In its headline results the firm posted revenue of £381m in 2014-15, a slight fall from £383.5m the previous year.

The firm's PEP increased by 2% to £749,000, up from £731,000.

Net profit was £87.5m, which was £1.4m higher than the previous year.

Eversheds' 2013-14 revenue of £383.5m marked a 2% rise on 2012-13, while its PEP increased by 14% from the preceding year.

Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes said that despite revenue being flat the firm experienced "tremendous growth" in some practice areas including corporate, and energy and industrials.

Hughes added that the second half of 2014-15 had outperformed the first but not enough to lift revenue above last year's level. However, he said the improved performance in the second half of the year had continued in the first quarter of 2015-16.

He said: "We would obviously have preferred some top-line growth; however, as we continued to make significant investment, particularly in our international operations, and we saw an improvement in the two key measures of net profit and our cash position, we are more than content with this result."

Significant events during the year included the firm sealing a 'best friends' referral relationship with Cape Town-based firm Walkers.

Since the end of the financial year Eversheds has won two large roles in the water sector. It retained its role as principal adviser to Anglian Water, following a tendering process. The firm will take responsibility for competition, employment, pensions and property work for the life of the three-year contract.

It was also reappointed as Severn Trent Water's sole adviser on 1 April 2015 following a retendering programme. The firm was first appointed to the role in 2010 and was reappointed in 2012.

In June this year Eversheds announced that it would merge with German firm Heisse Kursawe, which it has had an alliance agreement with for 10 years.

Eversheds has continued to be keen on international expansion and is thought to be particularly in favour of a US merger.

The firm's partnership is reported to have voted to endorse this strategy at its international partner conference that took place in Rome in June 2014. Eversheds' management is thought to be looking at US firms with a New York presence and those from the West Coast.