Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey

National law firm delivering specialist advice

Overview

Foot Anstey is a UK-based law firm that delivers specialist legal advice to businesses and individuals through seven offices, operating as a single national team with almost 50 partners and over 500 staff. Its services cover a range of legal areas, coordinated across offices to serve regional, national, and international clients. The firm works by combining the expertise of its lawyers in a unified practice, providing tailored guidance and representation for clients' legal needs. It differentiates itself through its scale, organic growth strategy, and agile, client-focused approach, earning industry recognition and awards while maintaining strong financial performance. Foot Anstey’s goal is to sustain consistent growth and meet ambitious financial targets while continuing to serve a diverse, regional-to-global client base.

About Foot Anstey

Simplify's Rating
Why Foot Anstey is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consulting

Legal

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Plymouth, United Kingdom

Founded

1908

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Foot Anstey reported July 2026 profit growth of 12% to £18.05m.
  • The firm advised Gülermak, Delinian, and Blacksand on transactions in June and July 2026.
  • Jasmine Olomolaiye joined in March 2026, strengthening investigations and corporate crime offerings.

What critics are saying

  • FY25/26 revenue rose 7%, but mixed legal demand still pressures volume growth.
  • Integration of McKees, Manchester expansion, and Exeter relocation strains management attention through 2026.
  • Bristol Bears sponsorship and aggressive hiring raise costs if profitability stalls after 2026.

What makes Foot Anstey unique

  • Foot Anstey added McKees in June 2025, creating English and Northern Irish coverage.
  • The firm ranked in 45 Legal 500 UK 2026 practice areas, including 10 Tier 1s.
  • Martin Hirst and Stephen Arnold are pushing a client-led national growth strategy.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Parental Leave

Sabbatical Leave

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Gym Membership

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

The Law Society Gazette
Jul 29th, 2026
Profit growth flat as Macfarlanes announces £3.1m PEP.

Profit growth flat as Macfarlanes announces £3.1m PEP. Top-50 firm Macfarlanes has reported flat profit growth in a 'transitional year' - but nonetheless announced a profit per equity partner figure of £3.1 million for the second year running. Unaudited results for the year to 1 April show operating profit up 2.7% to £212.0m on turnover up 4.9% to £389.5m. Damien Crossley, senior partner, described the figures as 'a satisfactory outcome'. 'The results reflect some standout mandates in our M&A and disputes practices and continued strength in our advisory practices against a market backdrop that was challenging at times,' he said. Meanwhile as the results reporting season continues, national law firm Foot Anstey announced a 12% profit increase to £18.05m on turnover up 7% to £82m. The firm said the results follow a period of sustained growth with revenue up 53% over the past five years. Managing partner Martin Hirst said: 'Achieving double digit profit growth in an uncertain market with a volatile macro-economic backdrop demonstrates our resilience and the strength of our growth strategy. Our solid performance allows us to continue investing in our people, our sectors, technology and AI. 'Looking ahead, we remain ambitious. We will continue investing in the areas that matter most to ensure we deliver for our clients and our people, while strengthening our position as a leading national mid-market firm.' Email newsletters. Partnership

Bdaily
Jul 3rd, 2026
Law firm tackles landmark Bears partnership.

Law firm tackles landmark Bears partnership. A South West law firm has entered a "groundbreaking" partnership with a leading rugby club that promises to deliver benefits both on and off the pitch. Foot Anstey has been named principal partner of PREM Rugby club Bristol Bears from the 2026/27 season under a multi-year agreement that includes front-of-shirt branding for both the men's and women's teams. The partnership also sees the national law firm become principal partner of the Bristol Bears Foundation, supporting the club's charitable work across the region. Beyond the pitch, Foot Anstey has been appointed Bristol Bears' exclusive legal services provider, delivering a full range of legal advice and support to the club and its players throughout the partnership. Described as one of the most significant commercial partnerships in the club's history, the collaboration is expected to support Bristol Bears' ambitions both on and off the field while further strengthening Foot Anstey's presence across the South West. Martin Hirst, managing parter at Foot Anstey, said: "Our partnership with Bristol Bears is built on a shared belief in the impact individuals can have when they come together as a team. "From our earliest conversations, it was clear this is more than sponsorship, it's about bringing together two ambitious organisations to drive performance, support our communities and create lasting impact. "This reflects how we work as a firm: building strong relationships, working collaboratively and focusing on what really matters to our clients and to the communities around us. "Sport has a unique ability to bring people together and create momentum. "We're excited about what we can achieve, alongside Bristol Bears and the Bristol Bears Foundation, over the coming years." Tom Tainton, chief executive of Bristol Bears, added: "This is a groundbreaking moment for the club and we are delighted to welcome Foot Anstey into the Bears family. "From the beginning of this process, Foot Anstey has been an excellent partner - collaborative, engaging and genuinely excited about using the power of sport to leave a lasting legacy. "Having Foot Anstey's name on our shirts is about far more than a business agreement; it is a statement of intent about our aligned growth journeys. "This authentic partnership represents a shared set of values and a long-term commitment to driving success across our men's, women's and community programmes. "Foot Anstey's support of the Bristol Bears Foundation is particularly significant, enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact within the communities we serve. "We look forward to achieving great things together over the coming years." Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.

Bdaily
Mar 14th, 2026
Foot Anstey appoints corporate crime partner

Foot Anstey appoints corporate crime partner. National law firm Foot Anstey, headquartered in Plymouth, has appointed Jasmine Olomolaiye as partner in its investigations and corporate crime team. Jasmine joins from Linklaters, where she spent 12 years advising corporates and financial institutions on internal and regulatory investigations, corporate crime and sanctions. Recognised by Legal 500 for regulatory investigations and corporate crime work, she has advised clients across sectors including utilities, infrastructure, financial services and private equity. Jasmine said: "Foot Anstey has real momentum nationally and a clear ambition. "I'm looking forward to contributing to its growth strategy. "Improving social mobility in the legal profession is also a personal priority for me, so it is particularly meaningful to join a firm whose commitment to responsible business aligns closely with my own values." Jasmine's appointment supports Foot Anstey's continued growth and expansion of its risk and regulatory offering. Martin Hirst, managing partner of Foot Anstey, added: "Jasmine brings significant experience advising on complex investigations and corporate crime matters, particularly for clients operating in highly regulated sectors. "We are delighted that Jasmine will be strengthening our investigations and corporate crime practice at Foot Anstey as we continue to expand our risk and regulatory offering. "Her breadth of expertise, strong network and reputation for delivering high-quality, premium work make her a great appointment for the firm. "Her appointment also reflects our continued commitment to investing in the best legal talent to support our clients' needs." Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here. Explore these topics. Enjoy the read? Get Bdaily delivered. * Occasional offers & updates from selected Bdaily partners

PSM - The Professionals
Dec 2nd, 2025
Foot Anstey appoints first Chief Client Officer as it sharpens growth strategy

Foot Anstey appoints first Chief Client Officer as it sharpens growth strategy. National law firm Foot Anstey has appointed Stephen Arnold as its first Chief Client Officer (CCO), strengthening the firm's senior leadership team and reinforcing its focus on client-centred growth and strategic clarity. Stephen Arnold joins Foot Anstey at a pivotal moment for the firm, following a year of strong performance and continued investment in its national growth strategy. This includes expansion into Northern Ireland through its combination with McKees and the firm's increased focus on Manchester as a key hub for future growth. Stephen brings extensive senior experience from leading international law firms. He began his legal-sector career at Linklaters, before moving to Clifford Chance where he helped shape the firm's global client strategy and worked with some of the world's most significant financial institutions. He later served as Global Business Development & Marketing Director at Clyde & Co, delivering major growth initiatives, strengthening global client programmes, and supporting integration activity during a period of active expansion. In his new role, Stephen will lead Foot Anstey's client function and help advance the firm's next phase of growth by strengthening how the firm serves clients, deepening collaboration across teams, and sharpening the clarity and direction of its go-to-market approach. Managing Partner Martin Hirst told The Professionals: "Stephen's appointment reflects the scale of our ambition at a critical moment for the firm. His experience in shaping client strategy at leading international firms will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our market position." Stephen Arnold added: "Foot Anstey has a clear strategy and strong momentum. I'm excited to join at this stage and to work closely with the firm's impressive partners to strengthen how we support clients and build the next phase of our market position."

Somerset Chamber of Commerce
Nov 12th, 2025
Michelle Seddon joins Clarke Willmott as Private Client Partner

Michelle Seddon joins Clarke Willmott as private client partner. Experienced private client lawyer Michelle Seddon (pictured) has joined national law firm Clarke Willmott as a partner in its Taunton office. Michelle, who joins from Foot Anstey, will add to Clarke Willmott's already impressive private client offering across the South West. Michelle advises on the full range of private client areas but with a focus on Administrations of Estates (Probate) and Death in Service Advice to Trustees, along with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Declarations of Trusts. Her practice involves advising private individuals as lay trustees and lay executors but she is often sought out by professional executors and trustees, such as the partners of law firms and trust corporations. * Complex estates, including dealing with conditional (heritage) exemptions, agricultural relief, double taxation, antiques and international estates/assets * Advice to trustees of death in service benefit schemes - working with companies to ensure clarity, compassion and legal precision Michelle has also acted on behalf of law firms in Australia and Canada, assisting with probate queries. "It's a privilege to be working alongside such a talented group of people and I'm excited to help our clients navigate the opportunities and complexities of managing private wealth with clarity, confidence and care," said Michelle. David Maddock, private capital partner at Clarke Willmott in Taunton, added: "We're delighted to welcome Michelle to the private client team here at Clarke Willmott. The wealth of her connections along with her technical expertise, will be a huge asset as we continue to grow our offering across the South West." Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton. For more information visit www.clarkewillmott.com. Connect. Influence. Grow. Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, Somerset Chamber represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.

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