Shepherd and Wedderburn elects new managing partner

Andrew Blain

Mr Blain, who will assume the role on 1 May, has been a member of Shepherd and Wedderburn’s board since 2009 as divisional director of the corporate division.

He will build upon the firm’s significant progress and achievements on behalf of clients in recent years.

These include being a trusted adviser to many of the UK’s best-known and most innovative organisations across all sectors, advising Scotland’s first tech unicorn from incorporation to sale, and supporting clients on a variety of landmark clean energy projects, major infrastructure projects and asset and property transactions.

Corporate Partner Stephen Trombala will replace Mr Blain as divisional director of the corporate division with immediate effect.

Mr Balin succeeds Stephen Gibb, who was first elected in 2012 and led Shepherd and Wedderburn through the aftermath of the global financial crisis and on the acquisitions of Tods Murray in 2014 and The Commercial Law Practice in Aberdeen in 2016.

Under his stewardship, the firm has grown from 360 people to almost 500 and reported record financial results on its 250th anniversary last year. Mr Gibb, who decided not to stand for re-election after leading the firm for seven successful years, will return to practice as a corporate partner when his leadership term ends on 30 April 2019.

Paul Hally, chairman of Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: “I look forward to working with Andrew to lead the firm in the next phase of its strategic development. Thanks to Stephen we have a strong foundation on which to build. It is a time of great change in our market with many exciting opportunities. We have a great team to support our firm and, most importantly, our clients.”

Mr Blain added: “I am honoured to have been elected Managing Partner. I look forward to leading the firm as we go from strength to strength, supporting clients in Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. Stephen has been a driving force across the business and, in particular, in promoting diversity and inclusion within our firm. I look forward to building on his achievements for the benefit of clients and colleagues.”