Firms in the insurance sector have bucked the downturn in the global economy to put in a strong performance in 2008-09.

Insurance specialists Kennedys and Berrymans Lace Mawer have joined the top 50 after both reported revenue increases of more than 20%. Together with fellow insurance firms Holman Fenwick Willan, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co, the group significantly outperformed the top 50 as a whole.