Managing director Gordon Wilson has targeted the London market and has opened a new office in the capital’s Bloomsbury Way.

Former graduate trainee Darren Lees (30) will spearhead the London operation.

He returns to the Edinburgh company after several years as a wealth manager in the city with private bankers Coutts.

Gordon said: “Given that our clients in Scotland are typically business owners, senior executives and professionals, expanding into London with our fifth office was an easy decision. The hard part was finding the right person, living in London, to lead our expansion.

“Darren fits the bill perfectly. He has worked with us before in Edinburgh and is a qualified financial planner with experience of dealing with London’s high net worth individuals.”

Dundee University law graduate Darren gained a grounding in the industry at Carbon’s Manor Place offices.

He said: “After graduating, I was on the first year of the Carbon graduate trainee scheme.

“Despite leaving for London a few years ago we had kept in touch and this is a wonderful opportunity.

“It will be challenging because we are starting from scratch in a competitive sector in London.

“It is a blank canvas and the timing is good as many old-style financial advisors have been dropping out of the industry because of the ever increasing regulations.

“We are cautiously optimistic and this is a long-term strategy.

“There is a niche for Carbon’s investment philosophy and the company’s UK profile has certainly been enhanced by winning national financial planning awards in recent years.”

Reflecting the firm’s steady growth and commitment to nurturing talent, leading UK Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has promoted 11 solicitors to the position of Associate across its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London.

The total number of associates and solicitors now stands at 148, with the firm wide headcount at approximately 500. With a premier client portfolio and a reputation for the highest quality service, the firm is renowned for its ability to innovate and handle unique, unprecedented projects.

Stephen Gibb, Chief Executive, Shepherd and Wedderburn said: “This is a really strong group of new associates, and reflects the strength in depth and quality of our people across the business. Our strategy has always been to provide first-class expertise combined with personal service and I know that our new associates will play a key role in delivering this. This group in particular has demonstrated a strong professional ethos and an unwavering commitment to our clients and colleagues. Their promotions are well deserved.”

The new associates are Gina Johnston, Chris Garden and Charles Boyne who specialise in Commercial Disputes & Regulation; Alison Blair in Banking & Finance; Flora Asplin in the Private Client team; and Chris Devlin, Ian Mack, Stephen Maughan, Stephanie Mill, Emma Paton and Julian Poullain in Property & Infrastructure.