Watson Farley & Williams grew revenue by more than 20% during the last financial year, with fee income almost hitting £160m.

The firm confirmed revenue reached £159.8m in 2016-17 – a 22% hike on the previous year's figure of £131.2m. The rate of growth, which was positively impacted by the weaker pound, is significantly higher than in 2015-16, when turnover climbed 6% from £125.2m.

Watson Farley's co-managing partner Chris Lowe said: "This is a strong result for the firm, due in no small part to the significant investments we have made not only into high-profile practices complementary to our specialist sectors, but also in technology, infrastructure and business services."

Speaking to Legal Week, Lowe said that roughly 50% of the increase in revenue was down to foreign exchange fluctuations and around 50% down to organic growth in the business.

"Our hours recorded have increased by 12% and our headcount has increased by around 3%," he added.

The firm's profitability has also grown: "We are expecting PEP to go north of £600,000 this year, which is healthy although there is still room to grow," Lowe said.

Last year, the firm's average profit per equity partner (PEP) was £480,000 according to the Legal Week UK top 50, representing a 7.7% fall on the previous year.

Co-managing partner Lothar Wegener said: "Last year also saw Watson Farley advise on numerous headline deals in our core sectors of energy, transport and real estate, from renewables and oil and gas to maritime, aviation finance and hotels."

Key mandates during the period include a role advising the banks in connection with Shell's £3bn ($3.8bn) disposal of North Sea assets to Chrysaor Holdings.

Non-UK earnings have previously accounted for more than 50% of the firm's total revenue.

In its 2015 accounts, the most recent set of accounts filed at Companies House by WFW Global LLP, the UK accounted for 42.4% of the firm's revenue, Europe excluding the UK for 30.4%, the US for 8.8%, while Asia accounted for 18.4%.

Earlier this year, the firm appointed London shipping partner Nigel Thomas as chairman, replacing Frank Dunne, who had held the role since 2004.

A number of firms have announced positive results in 2016-17, impacted in part by currency changes. These include Ince & Co, which posted a 16% rise in revenue to £88.5m; Fieldfisher, which announced a 34% jump to £165m; and Simmons & Simmons, which saw revenue rise 7% to £316.1m.