LAW firm Dickson Minto has appointed two new partners and a finance director amid buoyant activity levels in the key mergers and acquisitions market.

Nicola Mitchell and Craig Roberts have been promoted to partner at Dickson Minto, having joined the firm initially as trainees.

Ms Mitchell has won promotion after establishing and developing the employment law offering at Dickson Minto, which has offices in Edinburgh and London.

The announcement of her appointment noted that Ms Mitchell has a particular focus on the employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions, business transfers, dismissals and settlement agreements as well as executive remuneration and service agreements.

Ms Mitchell expects that Brexit and the pandemic will continue to bring many challenges for employers.

Mr Roberts has become a partner in Dickson Minto’s commercial property team. He has particular specialisms in the care home and retail sectors.

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Alex Smith has joined Dickson Minto as finance director after serving as group financial controller at Forth Ports and working at accountancy giant PwC. She has taken on responsibility for operational back-office activities including finance, compliance and human resources at the firm.

Dickson Minto partner Douglas Armstrong said: “We are delighted to announce these new appointments, all of whom are well-respected experts in their fields. It is particularly pleasing that Craig and Nicola joined the firm as trainees, reinforcing the importance of graduate recruitment to Dickson Minto.”

He added: “Despite the challenges of the Covid crisis, we are also pleased to have offered newly qualified positions to over 90% of our trainees this year."

Regarding activity levels, Mr Armstrong noted: "In addition to supporting our many long-standing clients, we have been able to increase our client base through some very interesting recent IPOs. These have included new clients investing in care homes and homeless accommodation."

He did not identify the clients concerned.

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