Gillespie Macandrew announces new board as Turnbull steps down

Changes at the top were announced today at legal firm Gillespie Macandrew, as managing partner Ian Turnbull steps down when his term ends this month.

Chris West will take over with the title managing partner, while Murray Shaw becomes chairman, both sitting on a new five-person board along with John McArthur (head of tax), Robert Scott-Dempster (head of land and rural business), and Mike Blair, a partner based in the firm’s Perth office, also in land and rural business.

Mr West, a non-lawyer, joined the firm as chief operating officer in 2013 having held a number of senior financial and general management posts in a variety of sectors including legal practices, the NHS and other commercial businesses.

Mr Shaw, an accredited specialist in planning and construction, joined the firm in 2014 after 27 years as a partner with Biggart Baillie, latterly serving as senior partner and chairman. Biggart Baillie merged with UK firm DWF in 2012.

Last month Gillespie Macandrew expanded into Glasgow to add to its Edinburgh and Perth bases. It also announced its intention to focus on significant growth and development of the business, and the latest changes are intended to drive the strategy required to achieve this.

Mr Shaw commented: "I have long felt that Gillespie Macandrew is a firm which punches way above its weight and I am very excited to play a central role in its continuing growth. I am very much looking forward to working with my colleagues on the new board and, in particular, with Chris West. He brings a sharply tuned commercial perspective into play and our ambition to grow is underlined by his appointment.

“I also want to pay tribute to Ian Turnbull, our long-serving managing partner. Ian has overseen several major acquisitions and mergers in the business, and has managed the firm carefully through the recent recession and the successful growth and disposal of the investment arm in 2011."

Mr Turnbull added: “I am stepping down at a time when the firm is thriving and I am looking forward to working with the new board in a client-facing role to support the firm going forward.”