This week, we’re delighted to continue our Member of the Week spotlight on Brodies LLP, Scotland’s largest law firm headquartered in Scotland. In Part 1, we heard from Partner Sarah Lilley about the firm’s history, growth in the Highlands and her involvement with the Chamber community. In Part 2, Partner Gary Webster shares his perspective on Brodies’ continued growth in the Highlands, supporting rural businesses and the value of Chamber membership.
Brodies was keen to establish a presence in the Highlands, both to better serve our existing Highland client base and to be in the best possible position to offer high-quality legal advice from a Top 100 full-service UK law firm to new clients in the area.
After first opening an office in Dingwall in 2018, Brodies moved into modern premises at Cradlehall Business Park in Inverness in 2022. The office opened with 12 colleagues and, just over four years later, has grown to 26 people.
We are very proud of that growth and are confident there is more to come.
Meet Gary Webster, Partner
I am a Partner in Brodies’ Rural Business team and am part of a four-person legal team based full-time in the Highlands, representing rural landowners and rural businesses across a broad range of property matters. This includes acquisitions and sales of rural property, renewable energy projects and natural capital initiatives, particularly peatland restoration projects.
It’s a bit of a cliché but there is no such thing as a typical day. I might spend time in the office on calls and in client meetings, or I might be visiting a client’s farm or estate to discuss a specific issue in person.
The most satisfying part of my role is delivering results for clients, whether that means completing a significant land transaction or helping solve a complex challenge. The personal relationships we build with clients and our ability to consistently deliver results beyond a client’s expectations is central to what we do.
Strength in Depth
One thing that may surprise people is the breadth and depth of expertise available across Brodies. Whatever issue a client faces, we have specialists who can help.
Rural clients regularly require legal support that extends far beyond traditional property and litigation matters. They may need specialist tax planning and succession advice, often spanning multiple jurisdictions and borders, or support with health and safety and regulatory issues affecting their businesses. This breadth of expertise is one of the main reasons I was attracted to Brodies. No matter the complexity of the issue, Brodies has the expertise and capacity to deliver results for clients.
Lessons from Recent Challenges
Brodies continually reviews and refines how we deliver client service, ensuring we provide the highest quality advice in a way that clients value.
One of the key lessons I have learned in recent years is the importance of resilience and adaptability. Those clients who take the time to consider what the future may bring and plan accordingly are often the ones best placed to navigate challenging circumstances.
By contrast, businesses that continue operating as they always have can sometimes find that unexpected changes or events beyond their control have a disproportionate impact on their day-to-day operations.
Building on Success in the Highlands
For me, the most rewarding achievement has been witnessing the continued growth of the Highland office.
Seeing more people choose Inverness as their home office, observing greater awareness of Brodies across the Highlands and seeing increasing numbers of clients trust us with their business are all hugely satisfying developments.
Looking Ahead
We believe the Brodies growth story in the Highlands is only just getting started.
We believe that by continuing to attract the right people, delivering the legal services Highland businesses need, and doing so efficiently and in a way that adds real value to our clients, the continued growth of the firm will follow naturally. It’s an approach that has worked well for Brodies in other locations and is already bearing fruit in the Highlands.
As for what I’m looking forward to most, it’s the opportunities that will come from continuing to build on that tried and tested approach.
The Value of Chamber Membership
It’s difficult to quantify the value of Chamber membership, but the impact has been significant.
It’s about connections. It’s about belonging. It’s about having a platform to promote our business to the widest possible audience. There is no doubt that the Chamber has played an important part in Brodies’ success story in the Highlands.
The Chamber is a fantastic platform, but success comes from making the most of the opportunities available – essentially, you get out of it what you put in.
Attend events, meet new people, and connect with businesses outside your immediate sector. Often, those unexpected connections lead to the most valuable conversations and opportunities.
