‘What is it like to launch a firm in a new city?’ Inside the challenges and opportunities

Andersonbain’s expansion into Glasgow is more than just new premises: it’s the opportunity to build a fresh new culture built on client relationships and the firm’s ethos, writes Dianne Ripoll.

For 25 years Andersonbain has been an established presence in Aberdeen, building a strong reputation through its consistent client-first approach and genuine care for the individuals and businesses it serves. For me, when txhe opportunity arose to take on the role of head of Andersonbain’s Glasgow office, I felt excited. Expanding into Glasgow would not simply be about replicating the success of Aberdeen – it would be about building something new that reflects both the firm’s values and the character of this city, adapting our approach to a different market with its own expectations and demands.

When people think about opening a new office they often picture the practicalities: locating premises, recruiting staff and establishing systems. Believe you me, it has not been easy, with IT glitches and furniture building to name but a few. While these elements are certainly important and can be a little stressful, what has struck me as the most vital part of the development of Andersonbain’s Glasgow office is something that I have always believed: creating a successful legal practice is ultimately about people.

When joining Andersonbain my aim was not simply to open in a new location but to establish a meaningful presence in one of Scotland’s most dynamic legal and commercial centres.

Having spent the majority of my legal career working in private client practice, I have always valued building long-term relationships with clients and helping them to navigate some of life’s most significant and challenging moments. The prospect of bringing those values to a new office in Glasgow was both exciting and professionally rewarding.

For me, this role represents the culmination of a varied professional journey. Through working across several legal practices as well as establishing businesses outside the legal sector – including founding my own surf school and operating in the North East – I have developed a strong appreciation for the entrepreneurial side of professional services. Starting something from the ground up requires resilience, adaptability and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. These are qualities that are just as relevant in law as they are in business.

Creating a culture

The addition of a Glasgow office strengthens Andersonbain’s presence in one of Scotland’s busiest legal landscapes and enables the firm to better support existing clientele in the central belt. However, developing a new office involves far more than merely securing premises – even somewhere as well positioned as 1 Royal Bank Place. It requires creating a culture, establishing local connections and business relationships, and ensuring that clients experience the same high standards of service that have underpinned Andersonbain’s reputation for more than two decades.

As a people-led practice, our success depends on the strength of our team. The Glasgow office is already growing, with new solicitors joining the existing team very shortly. I have also been working to secure a consultancy relationship with a sole practitioner who is looking to retire and pass on his client base to safe hands who will genuinely look after his clients and provide them with the trusted and reliable service that he has always provided. This is something I know we can do.

Recruitment, however, is just one of many challenges. From coordinating office infrastructure and resolving technical issues to building a local client base, the demands are constant. I often feel like I am spinning many plates as I juggle business development meetings, new business coming in, an expanding team, in-house training with the new starts and, of course, meeting with clients and carrying out the legal work. Yet within these challenges lies opportunity as the Scottish legal profession continues to evolve. New offices, new teams and new approaches that all contribute to ensuring that legal services remain responsive to the needs of modern clients.

One of our key commitments is accessibility. Expanding into Glasgow and in the future Renfrewshire enables us to provide more flexible support to clients, whether through home visits, video consultations or in-person meetings. We recognise the particular challenges faced by individuals in smaller towns and rural communities surrounding the city, where accessibility to legal services is limited. Ensuring our services are both responsive and inclusive is pivotal to our approach.

Starting afresh

One of the greatest opportunities presented by opening a new office has been the ability to start with a clear vision. In established organisations, processes and practices often evolve gradually over many years. Creating something new provides a rare opportunity to ask fundamental questions. How do we at Andersonbain want our clients to experience our service? What culture do we want our colleagues to be part of? Leading a new office requires balancing competing priorities. There is the practical reality of establishing operations while simultaneously developing a client base and maintaining high professional standards. There is also the challenge of visibility. In a profession built on reputation and trust, establishing a presence in a new market takes time, consistency and patience.

Looking forward, my ambition is for Andersonbain’s Glasgow office to become more than simply another branch of an established firm. I hope it will become a trusted part of the local legal community. As the office continues to grow, I look forward to the next chapter. For now, I remain grateful for the opportunity to help shape something new and contribute in my own way to Glasgow’s legal landscape.

Dianne Ripoll is Associate and Head of Glasgow at Andersonbain