Gillies to succeed Entwistle at head of WJM

Fraser Gillies is to succeed Liam Entwistle as managing partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, the legal firm announced today.

The change takes effect from 1 April 2017, as Mr Entwistle steps down after over three years in the role.

Mr Gillies joined WJM as a trainee in 2000 and qualified in 2002. Since his promotion to partner in 2010, he has grown the firm’s planning practice and also headed its renewable energy team. That position will now be filled by partner Andy McFarlane, who has held it previously.

WJM, a full service firm with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, currently has 23 partners and 53 fee earners. In 2015 it merged with Inverness firm MacArthur & Co. Mr Gillies is reported as believing that its revenue of £7m in 2015-16 could rise to £15m in the next three years. He does not see it merging with a larger practice, though will continue to look at deals with smaller firms.

Mr Gillies commented: “I am inheriting an impressively strong platform for future growth from my predecessor, Liam Entwistle. We are well placed to consolidate our position in the sectors where we’ve carved out an excellent reputation and to meet the needs of a substantial segment of the Scottish economy, where clients are looking for high quality advice which is built around their particular needs coupled with long term relationships with their advisers. We recognise that clients are looking for more than ever before from their advisers and we’re well placed to meet and exceed those demands.”

Mr Entwistle, who will continue as a partner in dispute resolution, added: “During the last three and a half years we have grown considerably in strategic areas in order to provide our clients and their families with increased choice and breadth of legal technical expertise; and to introduce various initiatives to ensure both a strong infrastructure, and to promote the wellbeing of our people. At the same time we have increased our top line by over 15%. It’s been personally very rewarding; however the time is right, in terms of my own personal journey, to hand over the reins to my very capable successor.”