SCOTTISH law firm BTO has appointed real estate and commercial partner David Gibson as its new chairman.

Mr Gibson succeeded Alan Borthwick as chairman with effect from yesterday.

BTO also flagged its appointment of chartered accountant David Walker as its first chief operating officer. Mr Walker joined from US-based water, hygiene and energy technologies and services company Ecolab, where he held the position of Northern Europe finance director.

BTO has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It has 45 partners, four consultants, and a further 75 solicitors. The firm noted it had a total workforce of 255.

Mr Gibson thanked Mr Borthwick for “his huge contribution to the firm”