Joseph Bowie

Mr Bowie joins his former mentor from Aberdein Considine, where has has spent 10 years building up a successful debt and asset recovery practice.

Mr Aberdein, who started working with Mr Bowie a decade ago when establishing the lender services division of Aberdein Considine, said: “We worked closely for more than six years, so having Joe back on the team at such a critical time is brilliant.

“I know he will be as passionate as Joni and I are about changing and improving legal services in Aberdeen.”

Ms Esson, managing director of Esson & Aberdein, added: “Joe is a well-known figure in Aberdeen’s legal circles and he is an outstanding professional with an incredibly sharp business mind. His appointment gives our entire team confidence that we are going places – and fast.

“His ideas, talent and energy will turbo-charge what we are doing and help us deliver on our very clear ambition, to provide better and more accessible legal services to the people of Aberdeen.”

While its main focus currently is on conveyancing, estate agency, wills, executries and family law, Esson & Aberdein – which was launched earlier this year – is aiming for growth across litigation, debt and asset recovery, commercial property and a full range of legal, property and financial services.

The start-up is part of Moray Group, the umbrella brand launched by Mr Aberdein in 2020 for multiple professional services firms. The group has a financial target of achieving a turnover of £10 million by the end of 2022.

Mr Bowie said: “I completely buy in to the values and strategy that Joni and Rob have set out – especially making a meaningful difference in the community - and I believe they will help the business grow very quickly as clients also buy in to a better kind of law firm.

“Our immediate focus is growth across Aberdeen, but as we develop multiple services we will be looking across Scotland and the UK. We definitely want to offer pan-UK legal solutions.”