BLM has launched an new consultancy practice to help businesses tackle "operational inefficiencies".

The insurance and dispute resolution firm said in a statement that its new arm – BLM Consult – will allow companies access to its in-house business improvement team, which includes workshop, training and coaching services.

The team will be led by BLM's director of business services and improvement, Adrian Spencer, who joined the firm in 2016 from insurance giant Zurich, where he was the commercial broker and claims services director.

BLM said in a statement to Law.com's Legal Week that the launch would initially target its current client base but would also look to attract new clients, particularly in the insurance and corporate space. The firm has previously been commissioned to do work within the consultancy space, but only on a case by case basis.

Services will include design and innovation workshops, skills support, coaching and lean process mapping and training – which looks to visualise operations within a business and build in efficiencies.

It is the second launch in a fortnight for the firm, which also unveiled 'BLM Innovations', a new AI system, developed in conjunction with the London School of Economics, which looks to automate claims liabilities.

Announcing the launch of the new practice, Spencer said: "From feedback received from clients, we know that many organisations have differing internal change capabilities; some have sophisticated teams in place whilst others require additional support.

"That's why we created a 'pick and mix' option, offering one off interventions or more structured, formal consulting arrangements."

BLM is not the first firm to enter the consultancy market. In October HFW announced similar plans to launch a consulting venture – HFW Consulting.

Earlier this year, KPMG joined other members of the Big Four such as Deloitte in announcing its own legal consultancy arm.