CMS has signed a 20-year lease for new premises in Sheffield, as the firm anticipates growth in the north of England as part of its firmwide strategy. 

Moving to a new 47,500 sq ft premises at 1 Charter Square next autumn, the firm adds an extra 9,500 sq ft to accommodate its existing 350 staff already in the region. The firm also expects to grow its current headcount.

The new premises is four floors of 1 Charter Square, which the firm will share with HSBC.

CMS's head of the north, Mark Haywood, said in a statement: "CMS has grown by more than 20% in the north of England over the last 18 months as we consciously embrace the opportunities this vibrant region offers, with significant partner hires made in each of our real estate, pensions and commercial litigation sectors, with additional corporate, banking and construction capacity added across the board. These are exciting times for our Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield teams."

Last month, the firm scaled up its operations in South Africa and Kenya by adding two new firms to its international network – CMS RM Partners and CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates – and also relocated to new premises in Muscat.

Earlier this year, the firm oversaw its largest-ever global promotion round, making up 16 women in a class of 49, before announcing global revenue growth of 5%, hitting €1.36 billion in its first year following the three-way merger between CMS Cameron McKenna, Nabarro and Olswang.