This marks double digit turnover growth for the firm in three of the last four years organically, and has a doubling of its turnover over the last ten years. The firm attributes its progress to having a clear business strategy focused on deepening its expertise in the firm’s four core sectors, land & rural business, energy, private client and commercial real estate.

The strong performance has enabled Gillespie Macandrew to reward its people with a firm-wide bonus of 7%, consistent with award levels in recent years and recognising their talent and commitment to client service.

Chief executive officer, Robert Graham-Campbell, said: “As these financial results demonstrate, our strategy of sector focus is paying dividends, enabling us to deliver a highly competitive offering to our clients in terms of expertise, knowledge and service provision.

“This focus also helps consolidate the development of expertise in our staff through their exposure to the highest quality of clients and legal work in these sectors.

“In a competitive and consolidating marketplace for legal services, our approach will continue to ensure our clients receive premium legal advisory and transactional services based on expertise and experience gained through specialisation.”

Gillespie Macandrew’s achievements this year include:

• Advising on energy projects with a global development value of an estimated £20 billion including Berwick Wind Farm and Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, the largest operational offshore wind farm in Scotland with a total generating capacity of 1.075GW.
• Advising Criterion Capital in the purchase of the former Debenhams store, Princes Street, Edinburgh for a hotel development and assisting a private bank in the refinance of c.£33m of commercial investment properties.
• Our highly regarded teams of experts have helped deliver record results for both Private Client and Land and Rural Business sectors as trusted advisors to family generations and some of Scotland’s largest estates
• Completion of the refurbishment of its Edinburgh office and replacement of its core IT platform fulfilling its cloud-first strategy, together which modernise the business and unpin ambitions to be the best place to work and provide the best client service.
• Continuing to support communities and charities closely aligned with its ESG commitments, including commencement of a two year partnership with charity partners Richmond’s Hope and Change Mental Health. This follows the conclusion of charity partnerships with Alzheimer’s Scotland and the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity – for whom the firm has raised a significant sum of £139,000 over a three year partnership.
• As part of a wider ESG commitment, the firm was awarded Bronze status by EcoVadis in recognition of its sustainability achievements.

This announcement follows the firm’s recent appointment of a new chair, Frank Blin CBE. He has a distinguished career spanning over 38 years with global professional services firm PWC, together with a wealth of experience in the commercial and professional services sectors in Scotland.

Mr Graham-Campbell added: “The appointment of Frank signals an exciting new chapter for Gillespie Macandrew.

“Frank’s professional experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our market presence in our four core sectors, as well as attract new talent and deepen our commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to our clients across Scotland and beyond.”