Scotland

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew continues to advance its four-core sector strategy with a series of new appointments that strengthens its legal expertise in Land & Rural Business, Energy, Private Client and Commercial Real Estate. With offices located in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, the firm has achieved over 50% headcount growth in the past decade, reflecting its commitment to investing in both legally qualified professionals and business support teams. In September 2025, the firm significantly enhanced its Real Estate capability with the appointment of Keith Bishop in Edinburgh as a senior specialist in Construction and Engineering. Keith is dual qualified in Scotland and England & Wales and has extensive international experience that spans both contentious and non-contentious matters across construction, energy and land development projects. Earlier this month, Kelley Thomson joined the firm as Tax Senior in the Private Client & Tax team. Based in Glasgow, Kelley has extensive expertise in tax analysis and compliance gained in a Big 4 global accountancy practice prior to joining the firm. Chief Executive Officer, Robert Graham-Campbell commented: “We are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to Gillespie Macandrew. Their appointments further strengthen the depth and breadth of expertise in our core areas of practice. Investing in people remains central to our strategy, ensuring we deliver exceptional service to both new and longstanding clients”. As part of the firm’s established two-year legal traineeship programme and commitment to developing future legal talent, the firm recently retained four newly qualified Solicitors; Rachel Grieve specialising in Land & Rural Business, Eilidh Johnston in Commercial Property, Chloe Brown in Banking & Finance, and Max Reid in Energy & Strategic Land. Amy McDowell, Partner and Trainee Recruitment Lead, added “Retaining these talented new solicitors reflects their strong commitment and performance throughout qualification, the strength of our traineeship programme, and our ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals. We remain focused on investing in initiatives that support trainees at every stage and help them build rewarding careers in law.” With offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Perth, Gillespie Macandrew advises individuals, families, and businesses on all aspects of land and rural matters, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax, and disputes, combining a personal approach with specialist sector knowledge.   For more information contact: Lauren Forgie Marketing & Communications Manager [email protected] 0131 260 7567   Gillespie Macandrew advises a broad range of private and corporate clients in the land and rural business, private client and tax, renewable energy, commercial property and corporate sectors. Gillespie Macandrew has 28 partners and offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. Through its Training Academy, Gillespie Macandrew puts a particular focus on the training and expertise of its people and has grown headcount by 50% to over 180 through organic growth.  The academy has seen eight individuals promoted to partnership since it began. www.gillespiemacandrew.co.uk Image Description (Top left to bottom right): Keith Bishop (Legal Director), Kelley Thomson (Tax Senior), Rachel Grieve (Solicitor), Eilidh Johnston (Solicitor), Chloe Brown (Solicitor) and Max Reid (Solicitor).  

Mourant, a law firm-led professional services business, has announced the appointment of Tom Fothergill as Partner in its Jersey Finance and Corporate practice, effective 1 October 2025. Tom's appointment brings the number of Mourant's specialist regulatory partners in Jersey to five. The firm's legal team works hand-in-hand with Mourant Consulting, which provides strategic regulatory insight to help clients proactively manage governance, risk and compliance challenges, ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory expectations and fostering confidence with regulators. Since joining Mourant in 2023, Tom has been instrumental in strengthening the firm's specialist Regulatory team. He has extensive experience with Jersey’s financial services and anti-money laundering framework, including proceeds of crime legislation, and supports clients in establishing new businesses, navigating regulatory requirements, and managing compliance. Tom’s expertise also spans cross-border services, restructurings, and beneficial ownership/controller reporting and approval requirements. Prior to joining Mourant, Tom practised at two other leading offshore law firms in Jersey and worked for the Government of Jersey as the Lead Policy Adviser for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Financial Crime. Before embarking on his legal career, Tom served as an officer in the British Army. Commenting on the appointment, Mourant CEO, Jonathan Rigby, said: "Tom has already made a valuable contribution to the firm and our clients, and this appointment reflects his commitment and impact. We're delighted to welcome him to our wider leadership group and wish him every success in the role." Tom added: "I'm honoured to be appointed Partner at Mourant and proud to be part of a firm which is committed to supporting clients through the constantly evolving regulatory landscape. Since joining the firm, I've had the privilege of working alongside talented colleagues and contributing to the growth of our specialist Regulatory team. I look forward to continuing on this journey and helping shape the future of our Jersey finance and corporate offering." Earlier this year, Mourant celebrated several partner appointments across its Luxembourg, Jersey, and Guernsey offices. The firm has also welcomed a number of significant new hires throughout 2025, including former Kirkland & Ellis Partner, Brad Hillson, who was appointed Global Head of Private Capital in May, experienced Guernsey litigator, John Greenfield, and Cayman Corporate Partner, Tom McLaughlin. For further information please contact: Chloe Whittaker, External Communications and Content Manager: [email protected] Notes to Editors: About Mourant Mourant is a law firm-led, professional services business with over 60 years' experience in the financial services sector. We advise on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and Luxembourg and provide specialist entity management, governance, regulatory and consulting services. We are an international and globally-integrated firm with offices in a number of the world's leading international finance centres, including London and Hong Kong. Our business is intrinsically linked to the global economy and the capital flows that support it. We serve the needs of our clients in all major time zones, facilitating responsible cross-border finance and investment, the pooling and protection of capital and the resolution of disputes. Our clients include many of the world's leading financial institutions, international corporations, asset managers and institutional investors. We are routinely instructed to work alongside the world's pre-eminent legal, accounting and financial services firms. We have an outstanding reputation for integrity and professional ethics, underpinned by a strong risk management culture. Find out more: mourant.com

Law firm Weightmans has reported record revenue of £145 million for the financial year ending March 31, 2025 - a 3.4% increase on the previous year, representing four years of consecutive growth, and building on its record-breaking results in 2023/24. The firm also delivered net profit of £15m – the second highest annual total in its history, reflecting another year of sustained, strategic growth. The year also marked a significant leadership transition, with Sarah Walton succeeding John Schorah as Managing Partner in April 2025. Her appointment - the firm’s first female managing partner - was complemented by the arrival of former Legal & General Managing Partner, Duncan Finch as a Non-Executive Director, ensuring both continuity and fresh strategic insight at the top. Several practice areas delivered standout performances. The Claims Division (Insurance and Healthcare) and Regulatory teams exceeded gross profit targets. Private Wealth emerged as a key driver of both revenue and profit growth. And HR Rely, the firm’s fixed-fee outsourced HR and employment law service, surpassed all revenue, sales, and profit targets, delivering exceptional value to clients. International expansion was another highlight. Weightmans’ award-winning cyber consultancy, CyXcel, launched operations in North America. This was in addition to £10 million of international revenue generated in legal advice, reinforcing the firm’s global reach and reputation. The firm also welcomed 21 lateral hire partners, which, together with internal promotions, brings the partnership total to 267 and it had its largest-ever trainee and apprentice cohort, with 87 new joiners. In 2025, Weightmans was recognised as a Top Employer for the 18th consecutive year, achieving a top five national ranking, and appointed its first Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Liliana Corrieri. The firm’s purpose-led marketing campaign, ‘See the Possibility’, won two Gold Drum Awards, while its ESG credentials were further validated by being ranked second-best among the UK’s 75 largest law firms for greenhouse gas emissions by The Lawyer; being awarded Platinum status by EcoVadis, placing it in the top 1% globally for sustainability performance; and featuring in The Legal 500 UK Green Guide for the second consecutive year. Sarah Walton, managing partner at Weightmans, commented: “In a tough economic environment, we’ve sustained growth and maintained our momentum, which is impressive following on from the exceptional performance we achieved in our previous financial year. That success has enabled us to invest significantly in bolstering our client offer – including building out our hugely successful cyber security division CyXcel into a uniquely integrated global advisory offering. “Looking ahead, our strong financial position allows us to continue investing in what matters most: tech and innovation, our people, and delivering exceptional service to clients both in the UK and internationally.” In another development, today (September 1), Weightmans announced the opening of a new office in Nottingham, further strengthening its presence in the Midlands and underlining its commitment to growth, innovation and regional investment. This strategic move is a step forward in Weightmans’ ambition to expand its market share across priority sectors – notably Health and Public Bodies, as well as services tailored to Owner Managed Businesses and Private Clients. Alongside this, Weightmans confirms the arrival of two highly respected Nottingham-based partners - corporate lawyers Freya Summers and Mallory Coxe. Both ex-Wright Hassall partners, Freya and Mallory are recognised experts in their field, and their addition marks a key step in the firm’s ambitions to expand its corporate practice in the Midlands and nationally. The Nottingham office will act as a strategic regional hub, complementing Weightmans’ established presence in Birmingham and Leicester. This expansion strengthens the firm’s geographical footprint across the Midlands, unlocks access to vibrant local talent pools, and reinforces the firm’s position as one of the region’s leading law firms. Editor’s Notes Weightmans is a leading law firm with a truly global reach. From FTSE-100 companies to family-owned businesses, from public sector organisations to individuals - we believe in the power of people, innovation and partnership to provide strategic business insight and deep expertise to our clients across the UK and beyond. With approximately 1,600 people across offices in England, Scotland and Wales, in January 2025, Weightmans was awarded Top Employer status for the 18th time with a top five ranking, by global body, Top Employers Institute. In June 2024, the firm was also awarded the highest Platinum rating by EcoVadis, positioning the firm in the top 1% of legal and accounting businesses globally for ESG/sustainability performance and processes. Our purpose is to See the Possibility – in our business, our people and our clients. At Weightmans, we believe thinking differently allows us to see the possibilities others don't. For further information please contact Richard Lackey, PR Manager on 0151 243 3328 or email [email protected]

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew announces its sponsorship of the Women in Wellies podcast. As specialist advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew is committed to supporting innovative and progressive initiatives which support the rural community and celebrate the achievements of those representing it. The announcement is one of several industry initiatives carefully selected to support the firm’s extensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme, with social responsibility and community engagement as two key pillars of Gillespie Macandrew’s ongoing commitment. The Women in Wellies podcast series first launched by Hannah Lloyd in January 2023, has since established a loyal following of listeners who join to learn about each guest’s unique story, including details of the professional and personal challenges they have had to overcome in their own agricultural and rural experiences. Lizzie McFadzean, Partner, Land and Rural Business at Gillespie Macandrew, said: “We are delighted to support the Women in Wellies podcast series to help bring a spotlight to individuals within the rural community. As longstanding advisors to people and businesses in Agriculture, we are familiar with the challenges they face and understand the importance of educating and inspiring the next generation. We look forward to collaborating with them to provide new opportunities for the growing Women in Wellies network.” Women in Wellies founder, Hannah Lloyd added: “I am delighted to have received the support of Gillespie Macandrew as the Women in Wellies Podcast returns for Season two, continuing to grow and develop. The podcast was born from a love of rural Scotland and to inspire and encourage women across rural Scotland to celebrate their success, to recognise their impact and provide a voice for the invaluable contribution women make. Since the podcast launched, we have shared stories, lessons and experiences across over 40 episodes that have resonated with a broad spectrum of listeners while raising awareness of some important causes and initiatives.” “Having the support, encouragement and opportunities from working with Gillespie Macandrew will allow us to expand the community, share more stories and help inspire the next generation of rural women in Scotland.” Women in Wellies can be accessed on all major streaming platforms, with episodes released fortnightly. Pictured, Lois Newton, Lizzie MacFadzean and Lorna Balfour, Partners in Gillespie Macandrew’s Land and Rural Business team and future guests on the Women in Wellies podcast episodes.