Law firm Addleshaw Goddard has named David Kirchin as its new head of Scotland.
The private equity specialist succeeds Malcolm McPherson, who has retired as a partner but will remain with the business as a consultant developing client relationships.
Kirchin leads the firm's corporate team in Scotland and advises major UK banks, companies and private equity firms.
This year he acted for Edinburgh business Commsworld on its major investment from Lloyds Banking Group PE firm LDC, and for Aberdeen-based acivpayroll on its 45% investment from Tenzing Private Equity.
Addleshaw Goddard managing partner John Joyce said: "David is one of our best-connected partners, excellent at building strong relationships with clients and enthusiastic about growing AG's brand in Scotland and so he is absolutely the ideal person to lead, encourage and ensure that we continue to expand our business in this key market.
"Malcolm has enjoyed a long and incredibly varied and successful career, leading HBJ through five mergers, the last one being the one which brought the firm to AG in 2017.
"He has our thanks for the important contribution he has made as senior partner for Scotland and as a Board member and for leading our Scottish business since the merger. We are delighted that Malcom will continue to provide an invaluable resource in helping build relationships and support clients and people within the firm."
University of Edinburgh graduate Kirchin began his career as a trainee with HBJ and joined BP as legal counsel for in Aberdeen before returning as a partner in 2002. He has led the corporate team of what is now Addleshaw Goddard in Scotland since 2012.
In his new role, he will also sit on the board of the company which has 12 offices in Asia, the Middle East, Germany, and the UK.
Kirchin said: "I am delighted to succeed Malcolm in this role and am proud to have been a part of all that has been achieved in our business in Scotland. Our business has grown and developed significantly across the practice areas and sectors in which we operate.
"While much has changed, our commitment to the success of our teams, our clients and the markets in which we operate will be unwavering. We have a continued plan to invest in our business in Scotland and so I look to the future with a real ambition to continue that growth and development.
"I also want to thank my colleagues for their impressive efforts through this period of health and economic challenge. They have shown true professionalism in their resilience and ability to adapt in supporting our clients."
