East Anglian law firm Ashton KCJ is to adopt a new identity, nearly five years after the merger which gave rise to its current name.

Ashton KCJ was created through the merger of Ashton Graham and Kester Cunningham John which took effect on October 1, 2011, but from the beginning of next month it will operate at Ashtons Legal.

In a joint statement, Mark Merriam, chairman of Ashton KCJ, and Edward O’Rourke, chief executive, said: “Following a fantastic four years where we have seen our business develop and grow, we felt the time was right to choose a name that will take the firm forward.

“The solicitors in our business are now complemented by a wide range of very able and highly productive legal executives, former bank personnel, case managers, paralegals, HR and business development professionals, injury executives, conveyancing executives and support staff. Ashtons Legal therefore summarises who we are and what we do in a more inclusive way.”

Mary Porch, the firm’s business development director, added: “Many of our clients and professional contacts refer to us as Ashtons already. It is a change of name to reflect our existing brand values rather than a change of brand.”

The firms says the new identity will also allow for flexibility should it wish to extend its “brand family”, as it did recently with the launch of Ashtons Franchise Consulting following the acquisition of a firm serving the franchise sector.

Ashton KCJ, which has offices in Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe and Thetford, employs around 320 people and is ranked by the Legal 500 guide as a “regional heavyweight” in East Anglia.