Two years ago, shipping lawyer Julian Clark was asked by the Hill Dickinson board how he could help the 200-year-old law firm survive a rapidly changing shipping law scene.

The company has its roots in Liverpool and, having represented Titanic owner White Star Line, in 1912, is one of the most prestigious names in shipping law.

But, like another historic name in the sector, Ince & Co, it was viewed as old fashioned and not having acted quickly enough to modernise and adapt to a slump in traditional shipping instructions.