Gately brings in energy specialist Sim

LAW firm HBJ Gateley has appointed a former legal director of oil and gas contractor Subsea 7 as a partner in its Aberdeen office.

Alison Sim will have a particular focus on growing the firm’s oil and gas and oilfield services practice from its energy, shipping and infrastructure team. She led the legal commercial team for Subsea 7 in the UK and Canada in her previous role.

Ms Sim, formerly a senior legal advisor at the Wood Group and general counsel at Production Services Network (PSN), has also been involved in the industry body Oil & Gas UK through its various work groups, as well as the Legal Issues Forum.

Malcolm McPherson, senior partner for HBJ Gateley, said: “Alison’s background will provide valuable additional experience to what is already a very strong team. She has an excellent reputation in the oil and gas sector, and her appointment highlights the quality of work being done from our Aberdeen office. “

Ms Sim said: “Having spent my career to date in a variety of challenging in-house roles, I can bring to HBJ Gateley a unique insight into client requirements and priorities. That stands me in good stead as a partner at a very strong firm with a respected energy practice.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me to use the skills and contacts I’ve developed over the years and use them to help our clients in oil and gas achieve their business objectives in a very challenging marketplace.”

Shepherd boosts Inverness team

SHEPHERD Chartered Surveyors has added to two recruits to its Inverness office.

Eilidh Walker, who hails from Stornoway, joins the firm’s building consultancy team in the Highland capital as a graduate building surveyor. Ms Walker studied at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Linda Cameron arrives from a national firm as a para-surveyor to undertake commercial agency within Inverness and surrounding areas.

Sandy Rennie, partner in Shepherd’s Inverness office, said: “We’re delighted to welcome both Eilidh and Linda to our expanding office in Inverness. These appointments illustrate the strength of the residential and commercial property markets throughout the Highlands and are indicative of our confidence in the outlook for these markets over the years ahead as we continue to see signs of a sustained economic recovery.

“The property market throughout the Highlands is showing clear signs of improvement and we are witnessing a significant increase in interest and completion of deals for properties.”

Maciver returns to MMS as partner

MACLAY Murray & Spens (MMS) has strengthened its capital project team by hiring Stewart Maciver as partner.

The appointment marks Mr Maciver’s return to MMS, having joined as an assistant solicitor in 2002 and departing, as an associate, in 2006 to join a top tier firm in Melbourne.

He then spent a number of years with Dundas & Wilson/CMS on his return to the UK, building on his expertise in infrastructure and project finance transactions.

MMS chief executive Kenneth Shand said: “I am pleased to welcome Stewart back to the firm. His hire reflects the growing importance of capital projects and instructions relating to project financing, and our commitment to building the strongest possible team in that area of law.”