LAW FIRM EXPANDS GLASGOW PRESENCE WITH KEY APPOINTMENTS

 (L) Richard Hart and (R) Aimee Gibbons

Leading full-service Scottish law firm Thorntons has expanded its Glasgow practice with the appointment of a new senior solicitor and legal director to its commercial real estate team.

Richard Hart has joined the firm as a legal director with over 25 years’ experience in the real estate sector acting for housebuilders, landowners and tenants on all aspects of site acquisitions and sales across Scotland.

Attracted to Thorntons by the firm’s varied client roster across the commercial real estate sector, Richard has a particular interest in healthcare, principally the care home and primary care sectors, and has had recent experience in acting for insolvency practitioners and clients within the student accommodation, hotel and transport sectors.

Also joining the firm is Abbi Armstrong, who has moved from residential conveyancing to join the commercial real estate team as a senior solicitor. Abbi will be utilising her skills and experience to advise business clients and developers on their commercial property and development transactions, including planning, leasing and conveyancing.

With an interest in education and healthcare sectors, Abbi prides herself on providing exceptional client service.

Glasgow Commercial Real Estate Partner, Aimee Gibbons said: “The development of our Glasgow team is a real source of pride for us, signalling our growth ambitions for the area – and we are delighted with these new appointments.

Richard Hart and Abbi Armstrong are both highly regarded practitioners whose specialist knowledge and years of experience will reinforce our credentials as a leading law firm in the commercial real estate sector.”

She added: “Furthermore, our continued investment in top-class legal talent further underscores Thorntons’ commitment to high service standards and our desire to find the best solutions, no matter how complex the case.

I am looking forward to seeing the strong results that these new appointments deliver for existing and future clients in a wide variety of sectors.”

This year the Glasgow team have represented Shed5 Limited in its acquisition of three sizeable industrial estates in Glasgow and the surrounds for a combined total of £9.5 million and continue to deal with their lease and estate management matters. They also led on the acquisition of a 52,000sq. foot unit in Cumbernauld which was subsequently leased to one of the UK’s leading rocket manufacturers.

In addition to their work in a booming industrial sector, the team continue to represent a number of healthcare providers, mainstream and non-traditional lenders and higher and further education institutions.

Traction is also being made in the hospitality sector with the team recently competing deals for Master Chef Professional Finalist Dean Banks. Leases have been successfully negotiated for Dean’s occupation of the Pompadour and Dulse Restaurants in Edinburgh, the Golf Inn, St. Andrews and his latest venture in Dollar, The Forager.

Headquartered in Dundee, the firm now has 13 offices ranging from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Montrose to St Andrews, Arbroath and Perth.