Scottish law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has posted a robust financial performance for the year ending 30 April 2025, with net profits rising by 20% to £36.1 million and turnover up 10% to £78.3 million.
The firm’s latest results mark the fifth consecutive year of both revenue and profit growth, underpinned by continued demand across sectors including clean energy, infrastructure, financial services, and life sciences.
Managing partner Andrew Blain credited the results to the firm’s client-focused approach and strategic sector investments. “Our performance reflects the strength of our client relationships and our investment in key sectors and practice areas,” he said. “The quality of the talent we have attracted to join us over the last year has deepened our expertise in a number of strategically important areas, helping us to secure mandates from existing and new clients.”
Over the past 12 months, Shepherd and Wedderburn has expanded its leadership team with five new partners. These include Craig Whelton in planning, Claire MacLean in property and infrastructure, and Graham Young in project finance, all bolstering the clean energy practice. The employment team was further strengthened by the appointment of partners Tricia Walker and Andrew Knight.
Additional internal promotions saw Gavin Charlton elevated to partner in the employee share incentives team, with Pamela Binnie also becoming partner and Roddy Forgie named legal director.
Reflecting its strong results, the firm announced a 5% salary bonus for all employees, with further individual performance-based awards to follow.
Throughout the financial year, Shepherd and Wedderburn advised on several high-profile transactions, including AviAlliance’s £1.53 billion acquisition of AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports. The firm also provided counsel to the Scottish National Investment Bank on investments in Subsea Micropiles, iGii, ForEV and Orbex.
In the energy sector, the firm supported Canadian Solar on the Coalburn 1 Battery Storage Project in South Lanarkshire and advised on the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm off the Lincolnshire coast. Major real estate clients included British Land, with legal support provided for acquisitions in Kilmarnock and Inverness.
On the financing side, the firm advised Serene Health on a funding round featuring investments from Fuel Ventures and NatWest, and assisted Atrato Onsite Energy with the Scottish aspects of a £250 million asset-backed security financing.
Blain concluded: “We remain focused on our strategic priorities and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to support our clients in an ever-evolving market.”
