Shepherd and Wedderburn has managed to avoid making compulsory redundancies as it looks to complete the integration of Tods Murray, which it acquired earlier this year, into one office.
The 45 day consultation period which kicked off following the acquisition has ended with the firm being able to make all the required redundancies through voluntary severance. From Monday, the firm will also have all of its employees under one roof, having finalised fit out works in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as adapting IT systems and training.
In a statement, chief executive of Shepherd and Wedderburn, Stephen Gibb said: ‘All of the required redundancies have been achieved through voluntary severance and many of those who have left us have already secured new positions. We hope that in this more active market, the remainder will also secure new posts before much longer.’
He added: ‘The “big move” finalising the integration of our offices takes place this weekend. On Friday the enabling works will be finished in Edinburgh and by Monday we will have everyone under the same roofs, which is a tremendous achievement in such a short time.’
Scottish LB100 firm Shepherd and Wedderburn acquired out of administration the business and assets of 158-year old Tods Murray in October this year, following the latter’s falling revenues and exposure to volatile property and finance markets.
Although not ruling out further moves in Scotland, Shepherd is now looking to further increase its team internationally, as well as in London. Speaking to Legal Business in October Gibb said: ‘We are in discussions with a number of other people and teams in relation to further boosting the London and international business. Keep an eye out and watch this space because there will be more to come.’
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk