UK top 50 and leading Scottish law firm Brodies LLP has added strength to its growing Highlands and Islands practice with the appointment of Gary Webster as partner.

Gary joins Brodies' Inverness office and the firm's rural business practice. With 19 years' legal experience, he acts for landowners and rural business owners, specialising in crofting law and the purchase and sale of farms and estates, as well as advising landowners on renewable energy projects including windfarms, hydro-electricity schemes and battery storage schemes.

The firm recently marked one year since the opening of its Inverness office at Cradlehall Business Park, which now comprises a team of 17 colleagues. The past 12 months of client matters and projects have demonstrated activity across a number of sectors, including:

  • representing Quantum Energy Partners in their £300m investment to accelerate redevelopment of Ardersier Port into a major energy transition facility for offshore wind and the decommissioning of oil and gas assets;
  • advising Orkney-based Orbital Marine Power on its successful fundraise from the Scottish National Investment Bank and public offer of secured debentures via crowdfunding platform Abundance Investment, to fund scaling of the world's most powerful tidal turbine;
  • a wide range of legal support to Stornoway Port Authority in the development of its £59 million deepwater terminal;
  • supporting various renewables projects across the Highlands and Islands, which once completed, will generate enough green energy for almost 400,000 homes;
  • advising more than 25 estates across the region.

Brodies managing partner Nick Scott said: "Our commitment to current and future clients in the Highlands and Islands is underpinned by building a practice of local experts, backed by top ranked specialists across the wider firm. Gary's appointment brings local knowledge and legal expertise in the Highlands and Islands rural market to our clients, and his experience with renewables projects will be of particular value.

"Since opening our Inverness office 12 months ago, we've supported clients in the region as they continue to make progress in several sectors, particularly in energy and ports where major investments in infrastructure are underway. Clients also continue to seek our expertise on sensitive and often complex personal and family matters and in assisting them with succession plans to secure the future of assets, estates and family-owned businesses."

Earlier this year Brodies announced its financial results, confirming a 13th consecutive year of growth, posting record revenue of £106.25m.

Contributors

Gary Webster

Partner

Nick Scott

Managing Partner

Eilidh Morgan

External Communications Manager