LAW firm Pinsent Masons has appointed one of its corporate partners to head up its Glasgow office.

Barry McCaig, who has been with the firm for 14 years including his time at McGrigors before the two firms merged, is taking charge of an operation which has 280 people.

He replaces Fraser McMillan who was recently appointed as the head of the global construction practice at the firm.

Mr McCaig is an experienced corporate dealmaker who has worked on transactions across a number of industries. In recent months he has advised Blue Water Energy on its investment into new North Sea oil and gas firm Siccar Point Energy, which launched with a £300 million warchest.

Mr McCaig also worked with TDR and Sun Capital on their £400m purchase of social housing provider Keepmoat and the Green Investment Bank on its investment in a £74 million facility at the Macallan distillery on Speyside.

Mr McCaig signalled his belief that the Glasgow operation can continue to grow and win market share from competitors.

He said: "Glasgow is a hugely important market for us and my main objective is to ensure we are properly represented and in the mix, not just for corporate deals emanating in the city, but for a full range of legal work across major business sectors. We are focused on serving the energy, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing and technology sectors globally, and that starts in our own back yard here in Glasgow.

"Our business is performing well and we are pleased with high levels of activity, but I am convinced there are plenty more opportunities in Glasgow and the surrounding area which we have not yet tapped in to. The market needs a bit of a shake-up as providing the same old service in the same old way is selling Scottish clients short."

Kirk Murdoch, Pinsent Masons chairman in Scotland, said: "Barry is highly respected in the local market place and by his peers."