Simpson & Marwick property to demerge from Clyde & Co

Simpson & Marwick, the residential property and estate agency arm of global law firm Clyde & Co, is to demerge from its parent and become part of the newly launched Aberdeins group.

The larger firm of Simpson & Marwick, including an extensive litigation practice, merged with Clyde & Co in 2015, but the name was retained in relation to the property business, which is now focused on the Edinburgh and East Lothian market. 

Last year Clyde & Co transferred its Simpson & Marwick Aberdeen estate agency business to Ledingham Chalmers, and its Edinburgh based private client practice to Gillespie Macandrew. The latest demerger helps align Clyde & Co's Scottish business with its global core areas of operation. The firm's commercial real estate practice in Scotland is unaffected by the move.

Simpson & Marwick's 26-strong team will move into a dedicated new Edinburgh office in the West End, while its East Lothian office will remain at 88 High Street, North Berwick.

Partner Richard Loudon, who steps up to chairman after 41 years with the firm – he intends to continue "for a good few more years" – commented: "We move with the full support of Clyde & Co as the services we offer are not part of their global core areas of expertise. The time is right, for both Clyde & Co and ourselves, to demerge our residential property division.

"I am delighted that we can continue to protect the legacy of the Simpson & Marwick brand established in 1886. We will take it forward into a new era, unlike so many well established and respected Edinburgh law firms that have disappeared in recent years."

Aberdeins Group founder, Rob Aberdein will join as managing partner. The firm will also be led by the existing team of solicitor director Bobby Fife and property directors Louisa Raistrick, Katie Macdonald and Di Jennings. Two "high profile lateral hires" will be announced shortly.

Vikki Melville, managing partner Clyde & Co Scotland, said: "We thank the residential property team for all their hard work and service to the firm over the years and we wish them all the very best in their new home. We are proud that the Simpson & Marwick name will live on."

The firm's website is simpsonmarwick.com