Turcan Connell's new chair was firm's first trainee

Turcan Connell has named the lawyer who was the firm's very first trainee as the successor to chairman Simon Mackintosh.

Alexander Garden, currently head of Tax & Succession at the private client legal practice, will take over as chairman on 1 July. Mr Mackintosh will remain with the firm as a consultant. Partner Alix Storrie will step up to Mr Garden's current position.

Mr Garden joined Turcan Connell soon after it was formed in 1997. An accredited specialist in trust law, he is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and chairs its Scottish taxes technical subcommittee.

Turcan Connell also recently changed its managing partner, with Gillian Crandles taking over from Ian Clark in April. The practice currently has 24 partners and about 200 staff in its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Mr Garden commented: "In taking over from Simon I have distinguished shoes to fill, but having been with the firm since its inception 22 years ago, I am excited about the opportunities looking forward." He aimed to guide the firm in "an empathetic and progressive manner".