Growing law firm hires chief operating officer and relocates its offices

Law firm Esson & Aberdein has recruited Joseph Bowie as its new chief operating officer.

The move sees Mr Bowie join his “former mentor”, Rob Aberdein, who set up the professional services group behind the new law firm in 2020.

Mr Bowie, who was most recently lender services director at Aberdein Considine, previously worked with Mr Aberdein to set up that firm’s debt and asset recovery service.

Mr Aberdein left Aberdein Considine – cofounded in 1981 by his father, Harvey – about four years ago.

Earlier this year Mr Aberdein and lawyer Joni Esson set up Esson & Aberdein as a north-eastbased legal brand. It is part of Moray Group, a professional services firm which has set out its ambitions for growth, both organically and by buying out other firms.

Its first acquisition was Glasgow-based lender services specialist, Alston Law, followed by the takeover of estate agency firm Simpson and Marwick in Edinburgh.

Moray Group says it has a financial target of achieving a turnover of £10m by the end of 2022.

With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and North Berwick, the firm plans to continue its acquisition spree, targeting “wellestablished legal firms with untapped potential”, the company said. It will also “bolt on” services including financial services and property letting.

Along with the new recruit, Esson & Aberdein

has confirmed it recently outgrew its offices and has relocated to the third floor of the Charter Building in Rubislaw.

Joseph Bowie is reunited with Rob Aberdein.