HBJ role for Sir David Murray's top lawyer

SIR David Murray's top lawyer is leaving his group of companies to become a corporate partner at a national law firm.

David Horne, who has been with Murray Group for 18 years and currently serves as its company secretary, will take up his role at HBJ Gateley on 1 June.

But Horne won't lose his ties with Murray as HBJ will become the group's principal legal adviser, replacing ad hoc arrangements with a number of law firms.

Murray commented: "The group has always been known for its innovative approach to business and believes that the new relationship with HBJ will become a model for the cost-effective provision of corporate legal services.

"David Horne is a pragmatic commercial lawyer who understands the group's legal requirements and the needs of in-house legal departments."

HBJ Gateley was created in 2006 through the cross-border merger of Edinburgh-based Henderson Boyd Jackson with Birmingham's Gateley Wareing.

Last year, it hired 40 partners from the Manchester office of defunct law firm Halliwells, swelling its headcount to 145 partners and more than 400 fee earners.

Malcolm McPherson, HBJ senior partner. said: "David's experience of corporate work and his extensive background with one of Scotland's most high-profile businesses will further enhance the breadth of services we provide to our clients.

"Securing our own position as Murray Group's primary legal adviser is also a significant boost for the firm and we've been working closely with the group to ensure a smooth transition when David joins us at the end of this month."