Ledingham Chalmers acquires Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen team

Clyde & Co has reached agreement with Ledingham Chalmers over the transfer of its Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen estate agency business from 4 November this year.

All 12 Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen staff, including property partner David Geddie and senior associate Lynne Stewart, will transfer along with Ledingham Chalmers personnel to a new entity, trading under the Ledingham Chalmers Estate Agency brand as part of Ledingham Chalmers' full service legal practice.

Covering all aspects of buying, selling, renting and conveyancing, it will operate from Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen’s current Alford Place premises and Ledingham Chalmers’ headquarters in Rose Street, along with the base in Bridge of Don.

The deal creates one of the city’s largest estate agencies in terms of the number and value of properties sold.

The residential property division of Clyde & Co will continue to use the Simpson & Marwick brand in Edinburgh and East Lothian where it has a team of 30. Clyde & Co's remaining Aberdeen office, led by partners Harry Boyle and Mark Donaldson and part of the firm's leading global insurance practice, is unaffected by this move.

Last month Clyde & Co agreed the transfer of its Edinburgh-based private client practice to Gillespie Macandrew (click here for report).

Mike Cunningham, partner and head of Residential Property at Ledingham Chalmers, commented: "This deal presents an important evolution of our firm at a pivotal moment for the north east.

"Specifically, this area hasn’t had its troubles to seek over the past few years, but we’re now seeing an improving picture in terms of activity and investment. For example, the city’s bypass opened recently; the P&J Live event arena opened recently too for Offshore Europe, its first conference; and construction is underway at Aberdeen Harbour Board's £350m South Harbour development.

"This deal isn’t about increasing size for the sake of it: it’s about bringing together two strong practices delivering unrivalled knowledge and expertise to clients and creating a stronger, sustainable market position in a region that’s experiencing something of a renaissance."

Mr Geddie added: "This is a client-focused move. I have known and respected the Ledingham Chalmers team for many years. We’re enthusiastic about what it means to come together and create something new that offers such an impressive service to clients ranging from first time buyers to those looking at the very top end of the market.

"As well as a seamless transition for all ongoing transactions, a familiar welcome awaits all our clients as we will continue to operate from our Alford Place offices."

David Tait, managing partner for Clyde & Co Scotland said: "We thank David Geddie and his team for their hard work over the years for Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen clients and wish them all the best for the future as they become part of Ledingham Chalmers Estate Agency."

Once the new team joins, personnel numbers at Ledingham Chalmers, which has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling and Inverness, will rise to 198 including 33 partners.