The beginning of the end of 170 years of legal history happened on 15 March 2011, the day Barlow Lyde & Gilbert’s highly-rated aviation team handed in its notice to move to Holman Fenwick Willan.

Until that point, Barlows had looked as if it was finally turning the corner after nearly a decade dominated by partner departures, poor financials and management inertia to regroup around its core insurance practice, a business the firm had hopes of rapidly taking international.