Cornwall firm Coodes Solicitors is expanding further through merger with Falmouth practice Preston Goldburn.

The deal will see all 16 Preston Goldburn staff transfer to Coodes. The office will be renamed Coodes Preston Goldburn.

Preston Goldburn founders Henry Preston, Tim Goldburn and partner Julie Hatton will become Coodes partners.

The announcement comes a month after Coodes, one of Cornwall’s oldest law firms, opened an office in St Ives. It also has offices in Liskeard, Launceston, Newquay, Penzance, St Austell, Truro and Holsworthy.

Coodes chief exectutive Gerard Hickie (pictured left) said Preston Goldburn was an ‘excellent fit for Coodes both culturally and geographically’.

He added: ‘We are delighted to welcome the team to Coodes as we cement our position as the premier law firm in Cornwall.’

Hickie, who has 30 years’ experience of running multinational companies, joined the firm on 1 December in the newly created role of CEO with a remit to grow the business.

Formerly chief executive of Littleton Chambers in London, Hickie’s career includes senior positions at L’Oreal, Vivalis Ltd and Garnier UK.

Coodes also created the new role of chairman, which was filled by partner and head of commercial services Peter Lamble (pictured right). The new structure allowed former managing partner Jeremy Harvey to lead and develop the firm’s employment law practice, which Coodes regards as a key growth area.

Coodes has seen turnover growth of 40% in the last 10 years, including a 5.5% increase in 2014.