Sykes gains IT rewards

Two-partner east London law firm Sykes Anderson has seen its investment in IT pay dividends after it won a business excellence award.

The Docklands Business Club award is open to companies based, or doing business, in London Docklands with a turnover in excess of 1 million.

It is judged on service to clients and increasing profitability.

Partner David Anderson said: 'The judges particularly liked our use of the Internet and marketing, which we have specialised to attract high net-worth clients.

We are also completely transparent about fees, publishing hourly rates on our Web site and sticking to flat fees with no uplift.'

The firm's Web site includes a number of innovative features such as costs and compensation calculators, and an Extranet facility.

Mr Sykes said it has taken three years to develop; they now direct all potential custom there.

'Initially our profits dropped but after a year we saw the benefits and now both partners have gross earnings of 600,000 per year - which is on par with most City firms.

I think that if any small firms are willing to use the Internet, they can compete with bigger players.'

Andrew Towler