Fraser Gilles takes the helm at WJM

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has appointed Fraser Gillies as the firm’s next managing partner from the 1st April 2017, to succeed Liam Entwistle who is stepping down after over three years in the role.

Mr Gillies joined WJM as a trainee in 2000 and qualified in 2002. Since his promotion to partner in 2010, he has grown the firm’s planning practice into a leading advisory service to clients involved in retail, housing, infrastructure and energy developments throughout the UK.

WJM’s planning team was ranked in the most recent Chambers and Legal 500 guides, and Mr Gillies himself is ranked in Band 2 in Chambers.

Following his election to managing partner, Andy McFarlane has succeeded Mr Gillies as head of the renewable energy team, the second time he has held that post since becoming a partner in the firm in 2010.

Mr Gillies said: “I am inheriting an impressively strong platform for future growth from my predecessor, Liam Entwistle. We are well placed to consolidate our position in the sectors where we’ve carved out an excellent reputation, and to meet the needs of a substantial segment of the Scottish economy where clients are looking for high quality advice which is built around their particular needs coupled with long term relationships with their advisors. We recognise that clients are looking for more than ever before from their advisors and we’re well placed to meet and exceed those demands.”

Mr Entwistle, who is returning to his professional passion – dispute resolution, said: “During the last three and a half years we have grown considerably in strategic areas in order to to provide our clients and their families with increased choice and breadth of legal technical expertise; and to introduce various initiatives to ensure both a strong infrastructure, and to promote the wellbeing of our people.

“At the same time we have increased our top line by over 15 per cent. It’s been personally very rewarding, however the time is right, in terms of my own personal journey, to hand over the reigns to my very capable successor Fraser Gillies, as he assumes the role of managing partner.”