John Maillie

With more pipeline work and tender outcomes awaited, John Maillie, location head for DAC Beachcroft Scotland, is optimistic heading into 2019.

“I’m very confident about DAC Beachcroft Scotland’s prospects,” he said.

“2018 was a stand-out year for us in terms of client wins and headcount growth, and things are looking bright for the year ahead.”

Among the 2018 highlights for DAC Beachcroft’s Scotland team was the firm’s appointment, for the first time, to act for NFU Mutual in Scotland, as one of only two law firms on its panel in Scotland. The firm was also reappointed to Admiral’s legal roster in Scotland to handle its motor and property claims, as part of the UK insurer’s newly-formed Scotland panel.

“Our Scottish growth in 2018 was not restricted to the insurance sector,” continued John. “The commercial and real estate teams were appointed as suppliers on the Crown Commercial Services panel to provide public sector legal services following a successful tender.”

The increased levels of work from new and existing clients, which include other global insurers such as AXA, Aviva and Zurich, has been reflected in a notable rise in staff numbers, with 15 new fee-earners joining the Scotland team across its Glasgow and Edinburgh offices over the last two years.

Mr Maillie added: “We have had to be flexible, innovative and responsive to client demands, and that has seen us take on additional resources to meet their needs.

“But that growth isn’t limited to Scotland.

“As a firm, we are also continuing to build our international presence. At the start of 2019, DAC Beachcroft opened a new office in Paris – our first in France – as part of our efforts to ramp up international expansion and grow our footprint in strategically significant centres.”