Richard Scott to head Pinsent Masons' Aberdeen office

Pinsent Masons has appointed corporate banking specialist Richard Scott as head of its Aberdeen office.

He succeeds fellow partner and employment law expert Katie Williams, who is relocating to the international law firm's base in Perth, Australia.

Mr Scott joined the then McGrigor Donald as a trainee in 2001 and, after an initial spell working in Edinburgh, returned to his home city in 2010 to establish a specialist banking practice in the Aberdeen office. His team works closely with major banks and private equity houses, and supports businesses seeking acquisition finance and corporate facilities.

The new head of Pinsent Masons now 55-strong Aberdeen office commented: “With a clear energy sector focus and our extensive international footprint, my objective is to maintain and build on our excellent north-east connections, while supporting ambitious clients who are seeking to maximise global opportunities.

“Our extensive track record of being at the centre of the majority of key UK continental shelf transactional activity, and for advising across a full range of complex issues in the energy sector, provides a strong foundation for servicing one of the most entrepreneurial client bases in the UK.”

Ms Williams added: “While I am sad to be leaving Aberdeen, I am sure I will have no trouble finding my feet in Perth, which mirrors Aberdeen as a strategically important and resilient oil and gas centre.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help build our business across our Perth, Melbourne and Sydney offices and the major Asia Pacific business hubs and I hope to support Scottish and UK businesses which have Australian interests. The many lessons learned during what has been a challenging few years for all involved in the oil and gas sector will be of great benefit to clients operating in Australia’s still buoyant energy sector.”