On the move: Latest appointments and promotions

Law firm Morton Fraser has appointed Lynda Towers to the role of director of public law, attracting her to the private sector for the first time in more than 30 years.

Lynda Towers joins law firm Morton Fraser as director of public law. Picture: Contributed

Towers has held top ­positions in Scotland’s public sector, most recently as solicitor to the Scottish Parliament and assistant clerk/assistant chief executive, where she advised the parliament up to, through and beyond the 2014 independence referendum from an independent legal perspective.

She will boost the firm’s public-sector team, comprising more than 80 specialists, and in excess of 100 clients, including City of Edinburgh Council, the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

Maggie Moodie, partner and public sector lead at Morton ­Fraser, said: “Attracting someone of Lynda’s calibre at such a ­pivotal time is a real coup for us and testament to the quality of our team, our clients and our expertise.”

Towers added: “There is so much going on across Scotland’s public ­sector at the moment and, as such, there is a huge opportunity to play a part in helping Morton Fraser’s clients to shape the changes. This role is an exciting new challenge for me.”

Wealth management firm Anderson Strathern Asset Management has appointed June Hanney as compliance manager, based at its Edinburgh headquarters and bringing the role back in-house after its work with a compliance consultancy. She brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, at the likes of RBS, Huntswood Associates and Martin Aitken & Co. She joins from One Solution Group where she was group compliance manager working across the firm’s London and Glasgow offices.

In her new role, Hanney will work closely with the chief executive, investment team and advisers, leading on compliance oversight, adviser development and FCA reporting.

Legal firm Pagan Osborne has announced an expansion of its Fife team with the appointment of two new partners. Lesley Mearns is joining the agricultural team, while Katherine McGill is boosting its conveyancing team. They formed their own legal practice, Eden Legal, with a colleague two years ago, and will be based in Cupar.

Pagan Osborne’s chief executive Alistair Morris said: “They both hold a great deal of expertise in their respective fields.”

Additionally, Fraser Falconer has joined the firm’s Edinburgh property team as a valuer, and Stephanie Pratt has been promoted to senior solicitor in Cupar.