Business focus sees Eversheds lose four Norwich partners

City-based firm Eversheds has seen four partners leave its Norwich branch, after it shifted the broad focus of its private client department towards business clients.

Charity law expert Philip Norton, private capital partner Richard Jacob and commercial property specialist John Hardman will now be joined at Norfolk firm Hansells by David Sisson, a partner in Eversheds' matrimonial department.

Eversheds' regional managing partner, Ian Shann, said the move was entirely amicable, adding that his firm would continue to offer private client tax and probate advice for business clients, and was setting up a specialist private tax planning service.

'We want a practice that will complement our corporate client base,' he explained.

'If there is no tax focus, we are now unlikely to do it.'

The move, including support staff, will boost Hansells' head count by 13.

Managing partner Roger Holden said the move was the latest step in a period of expansion for the firm.

In 2000 it took over Aylsham firm Edward Bell & Co, and last year it swallowed up Norwich-based Emmett & Tacon.

'We would now like to think we are one of the top three firms in Norwich,' he said.

The firm renamed itself from Hansell Stevenson last month.

Paula Rohan