Ledingham recruit targets private clientele

Law firm Ledingham Chalmers is gunning for a bigger slice of the private client market after hiring its first business development director.

John Campbell, who joins the firm after six years at rival Brodies, has been charged with supporting Ledingham’s “multi-sector growth strategy across its offices”.

He will be based in Aberdeen but “regularly” work from the firm’s offices in Edinburgh and Inverness.

The appointment of Campbell, 54, comes after Ledingham and its subsidiary, Golden Square Wealth Management, posted a 3 per cent increase in annual turnover to £9.9 million.

Fee income is said to have been bolstered by the “ongoing recovery of the residential and commercial property sectors”. Group profits totalled £3.5m, an increase of 2.5 per cent on the year before.

Chairwoman Jennifer Young said: “We are very pleased to welcome John to the firm and look forward to further developing our offering across Scotland with him, as we look to build on our growth to date.

“John brings with him tremendous experience. His role will be to support us in developing our client base across Scotland … with a particular focus on private client activity.”

Campbell said: “The team here have outstanding credentials, and I look forward to assisting in furthering the firm’s success.”

Ledingham has a headcount of 147, including 64 qualified lawyers, 24 of whom are partners.