Diamond succeeds Cummings in top role at Lindsays – Daily Business

Scottish legal firm Lindsays has appointed Andrew Diamond as its next managing partner and he has targeted potential mergers as part of a growth plan.

Mr Diamond, currently a partner and head of residential property, will take up the role on 1 October.

He will succeed Alasdair Cummings, who is stepping aside after 14 years in the role, during which Lindsays has completed six mergers and seen annual turnover grow from £9m to almost £28m. He will remain a partner.

Mr Diamond, who joined Lindsays through its merger with MacLachlan and MacKenzie in 2012, aims for the firm to continue its growth organically, as well as through mergers and strong strategic hires.

He said: “I am very much the continuity candidate. And, while in politics that may not always be viewed favourably, it is a good thing for Lindsays. It’s business as usual here.

“We are clear in our identity as an independent Scottish firm, working with Scottish families and businesses. There will be no change to that. We will continue with steady, strategic growth on the same path as we have followed.”

Mr Cummings rose from trainee in 1986, leaving for a five-year spell at a London legal firm before returning to Lindsays in Edinburgh in 1993 to help grow its corporate and commercial law services.

He said: “The past 14 years have been a successful and exciting journey. Together, we have achieved good growth, a wider geographic footprint and become a full-service firm, of which I am incredibly proud. The time, however, feels right for a new voice to lead Lindsays into the next stage of that journey.”

Lindsays has 53 partners along with 300 other solicitors and staff working from its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth and Crieff.

Nina Taylor, Lindsays’ chair, said: “Alasdair has led Lindsays with purpose, professionalism and integrity.”

Blackadders managing partners re-elected

Joint managing partners Emma Gray and Ryan McKay have been re-elected as leaders of Blackadders for another three years.

The pair took over in the summer of 2022 and set out on a path to reposition the firm and grow operations across Scotland. Their aims were set out in the firm’s ‘5 by 25’ strategy which set targets for growth.

Blackadders reported growth in turnover and profit in its latest accounts and expects to report further growth for the financial year ending 31 March, with the un-audited combined income of Blackadders and Blackadders Wealth Management exceeding £19m.