NEW HEAD FOR JLL VALUATION TEAM

Commercial property consultancy JLL has appointed Eric Stevens to head its valuation team in Edinburgh.

With 14 years of industry experience Mr Stevens joins JLL from Bilfinger GVA where her was director of valuation, operating across their Glasgow and Edinburgh offices since 2001.

Mr Stevens has worked closely with the Scottish market’s most prominent lenders, including Barclays, Santander, LBG, RBS and Clydesdale Bank across a range of property sectors and has extensive knowledge of Scotland’s student housing sector having acted for a number of financers, operators and developers.

He also has experience of working with public sector bodies, such as Network Rail, where he has advised on a number of key national infrastructure projects.

Originally hailing from London and a graduate of Aberdeen University, Eric has lived and worked in Scotland for 25 years.

Alasdair Humphery, Lead Director at JLL in Scotland, said: “In Eric Stevens, we have landed one of the most experienced and well regarded valuers in the Scottish property market. I know he’ll be a huge asset to our team and add further depth to our client offering.”

APPOINTMENTS AT INSURANCE BROKER

Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers has made three account executive appointments to its new Scottish Borders office.

Derek Nicol will work in the private client team, Shani Barclay will be responsible for overseeing strategy, planning, placement and management for a broad range of commercial and corporate clients while Robert Campbell will work in commercial insurance,

The largest independent insurance broker in Edinburgh and the second largest in Scotland, Bruce Stevenson have offices in Edinburgh, the North East of Scotland, Glasgow and London with the Galashiels office having opened earlier this year.

Andrew Adam, commercial director at Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Derek, Shani and Robert to the Borders team.

“All have a wealth of expert experience and having previously worked with Towergate and Lowland Insurance Brokers their knowledge of the region and their appointments underline our commitment to growing our Scottish Borders business.”

Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers was founded in 1981 and has grown to 88 staff with gross written premiums of £25m.

HBJ GATELY MAKES SEVEN-STRONG HIRING ROUND

Law firm HBJ Gateley, which operates north and south of the border, has completed a round of seven senior hires, including six new partners, as it reported profit growth of 16 per cent in the first half of the financial year.

The latest appointments are Glasgow-based Nick Taylor and Paul Ockrim, both of whom join from property-focused legal firm Leslie Wolfson & Co.

In Edinburgh, the firm has brought in Helena Brown from Burness Paul (intellectual property) and ex-McClure Naismith banking partner John Blackwood.

Corporate restructuring partner Addi Shamash, promoted from senior associate in Edinburgh, has joined the growing Aberdeen office along with former Subsea 7 in-house counsel consultant Alison Sim.

Consultant Philip Argo, who brings years of industry experience in businesses including Peak Well Systems, Venture Production and Ithaca Energy, adds to the senior team in Aberdeen.