DAVIDSON CHALMERS STEWART - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Managing Partner
- Partner
Alan Stewart has nearly 40 years of experience of corporate and commercial law and transactions, in private practice and in-house, and in management, consultancy, executive and non-executive director roles. He was Senior Tutor for the Corporate module of the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.
He has a legal background exclusively in corporate work, having been a Partner in several law firms (McGrigor Donald, Semple Fraser, Burness and HBJ Gateley) and Head of Clydesdale Bank's in-house legal department. Alan's career has covered the full range of corporate work - business startups, debt and equity funding, stock exchange flotations, reconstructions, amalgamations and privatisations. He has particular expertise in structuring and managing transactions, especially fundings and acquisitions and disposals.
Alan founded Kergan Stewart in 2012.
He is ‘more than just a lawyer'. He has tremendous business acumen and strong networking connections, and his in-house experience and work as a director of various companies helps him understand deals from the client's perspective.
Alexander has been with Davidson Chalmers Stewart since 2019, when he joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor. Having worked as a Solicitor and Senior Solicitor, he is now an Associate in the firm's Corporate & Commercial department.
Alex advises clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including private M&A deals, corporate reorganisations, incorporations, shareholders' agreements, debt and equity refinancing, the negotiation of commercial contracts, and general corporate governance.
Outside of office hours, Alexander enjoys country pursuits, skiing, travelling and tinkering with old cars.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing
- Head of Finance
Andrew Chalmers is active across a number of commercial property issues, especially development and investment. He advises a varied roster of clients including developers, owners and family office investment funds. Sources describe him as a "great operator" who is "well known to be doing a good job for clients."
Managing partner Andrew Chalmers is a highly experienced commercial property development and investment specialist. "He protects his clients' interests first and foremost but he also realises he is there to help get the deal done, not hinder it."
Andy Drane is a lead partner in the firm's healthcare department. He is renowned for advising on property leasing and development, as well as contractual issues. Sources consistently praise his ability to deliver "sound advice in understandable language" and to "speak in plain terms."
Andy Drane is known for advising farming businesses on a range of issues including diversification, family disputes and property development. He is a specialist in environmental and renewable energy matters. One source notes: "He will always carry out matters in a diligent and reliable way."
Andy Tyler is a Partner in the Real Estate department.
He has substantial experience across the real estate spectrum. This includes investment acquisitions and disposals, leasing (landlord and tenant), residential development (for house builders and housing associations) commercial development and real estate finance. He has developed particular expertise in investment and development within the student accommodation sector.
His experience in development work includes all aspects of site acquisition, site assembly, financing and development. This includes negotiating agreements for lease or forward sale agreements and the refinancing or disposal of the completed development. Andy works closely with the planning, corporate and construction teams.
Andy has acted in numerous cross border transactions working with firms south of the border for both national and international businesses.
Outside of Davidson Chalmers Stewart, Andy enjoys spending time with his young family and making time for his love of triathlon, skiing, music and travel.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Director of Globalaw
Arveen is a Partner in the firm's Corporate team and specialises in company and commercial Law.
Arveen's practice covers a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial work including advising clients on business acquisitions and sales, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, commercial contracts, business start-ups and general corporate governance.
He is ranked by Chambers UK 2024 as Up and Coming - Corporate/M&A
Arveen is also a director of Globalaw, one of the leading international legal networks.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Head of Finance
t: 0131 625 9048 e: caroline.court@dcslegal.com Add Caroline to your address book
Job Titles:
- Senior Solicitor
- Solicitor
Catherine is a highly experienced commercial and corporate lawyer, qualified in both Scots and English law, with an impressive track record in a range of areas including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, commercial contracts, corporate governance and risk management.
She spent time at a number of the large corporate law firms - immediately before joining Kergan Stewart, now Davidson Chalmers Stewart, in 2013 she was a Partner at Brodies. Over nearly 25 years in practice she has developed specialist expertise in both the food and drink sector and the life sciences industry and has the ability to manage complex transactions very effectively. Her clients include businesses at all stages of the growth cycle, from start up to listed public companies.
Catherine's non executive and voluntary posts, together with her role as general counsel for a number of businesses, help her to understand the many challenges facing growing companies today and to provide commercial and practical advice. She also tutors on corporate law on the Diploma in Legal Practice at Glasgow University.
In her spare time, Catherine enjoys the Scottish fresh air and spends time gardening, walking with her kids and dog, and doing yoga. She also volunteers with DSL.
t: 07554 993 760 e: catherine.feechan@dcslegal.com Add Catherine to your address book
Craig is a partner and head of the Davidson Chalmers Stewart Corporate team. His focus is corporate finance with a particular emphasis on private equity and mergers and acquisitions.
He also regularly advises our clients on a range of other corporate and commercial matters including business start-ups, debt and equity funding, group reorganisations and restructurings, partnership advice and commercial contracts.
Craig has an impressive track record of previous transactions acting for start-ups through to multinational PLCs and almost everything in between. He is highly regarded by his clients for his ability to provide first class legal advice as well as sound practical and business advice and for his extensive network of connections.
Craig Stirling advises on M&A, MBO and private equity matters. One source says: "He is very straightforward, commercial and a non-nonsense person to deal with. "
David has over 30 years' experience in corporate and commercial law and has been a Partner in both Biggart Baillie and Brodies. Following a period as a consultant, he became a Partner in Kergan Stewart, now Davidson Chalmers Stewart, in early 2016 and currently splits his time between that role and his role as General Counsel at Aridhia Informatics, a healthcare informatics company.
He has a wealth of experience exclusively in corporate and corporate finance work and provides specialist advice to a wide range of UK and international companies. He specialises in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity funding and AIM related work.
David has an impressive track record of transactions, acting for start ups to PLCs. He is known for his ability to provide first class legal as well as commercial and practical business advice to his clients.
Between Davidson Chalmers Stewart and Aridhia, David is kept pretty busy. However, when he does have some spare time he likes to spend it playing golf or sailing.
Job Titles:
- Trainee / Scots and English
Elizabeth has over 30 years' experience in corporate finance and broking, latterly with Brewin Dolphin, providing board level strategic, equity financing, project management, corporate governance and regulatory advice to a wide range of UK and international companies mainly on the Official List and AIM. She has been a member of the London Stock Exchange's AIM Advisory Group since its formation in 1997 (as well as its Chairman for three years) and is a member of the AIM Disciplinary Committee.
Elizabeth joined Kergan Stewart, now Davidson Chalmers Stewart, in 2012. She is also a non executive director of BMO Private Equity Trust plc, Octopus AIM VCT 2 plc, Sofant Technologies Limited, the Beatson Cancer Charity and the Merchants House of Glasgow and is an active business angel investor.
Elizabeth is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute.
Elizabeth loves to travel, especially to unusual places around the world. Closer to home she enjoys hillwalking and she has managed to climb all of the 283 Scottish Munros and over 200 of the Corbetts.
t: 07771 611 362 e: elizabeth.kennedy@dcslegal.com Add Elizabeth to your address book
Ewan McIntyre has three decades of experience in commercial litigation plus General Counsel experience. His private practice experience includes working with some of the leading independent firms (Morton Fraser, Burness Paull and Burges Salmon) as well as law firm management and non-executive board experience.
His experience includes resolving complex commercial disputes in the Court of Session and areas of particular strength include Professional Indemnity, Environmental disputes, Energy (including nuclear), Public Sector, Defence and Transport (particularly aviation accident litigation for aircraft operators, in acting for operators of leading airports and surface transport infrastructure issues).
Ewan's experience in the Financial Services sector includes pensions litigation, contentious tax and funds work. He has handled insurance related work throughout his career including policy coverage disputes and subrogated claims. He is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers' Association, is a past chair of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, Scottish branch, and was also the inaugural chair of their Professional Indemnity Sector Focus Group.
Outside of work, Ewan is active in sports including running and cycling, and volunteers as a maths tutor for talented secondary pupils from less favoured backgrounds. He holds the Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) B2 and graduated with Distinction from the University of Dundee in 2022 following a two year course of study in French language and culture. He has experience of working with one of France's leading independent firms.
Ewan has been recognised as ‘great at managing complex, serious litigation', and as ‘tactically astute a negotiator as you will find in the Scottish courts'.
He has been viewed as being ‘very good with clients. Efficient, organised and a very good communicator.'
Fiona is dual qualified in Scots and English law and has over 20 years' experience as a corporate lawyer, advising on numerous transactions and providing day-to-day advice on corporate and commercial matters. She acts for a range of clients from start-ups to large private companies.
Prior to joining Kergan Stewart, now Davidson Chalmers Stewart, in 2013, she was with Brodies and Biggart Baillie.
Fiona regularly deals with start-ups, acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and re-organisations and has particular experience in private equity work. She tutors on corporate law on the Diploma in Legal Practice at Glasgow University.
Outside of the office, Fiona enjoys time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Commercial Leasing Specialist
Gavin Maclean is a commercial leasing specialist and represents a broad range of clients, including retailers and investors. A client says: "He has a very thorough, pleasant manner, is easy to talk to and is very helpful and willing to assist."
t: 0131 625 9061 e: gordon.tainton@dcslegal.com Add Gordon to your address book
Job Titles:
- Director
- Head of Planning
- Director / Solicitor and Notary
Henrietta joined the firm in 2022, having primarily worked in matters related to property, both commercial and residential, and rural land and estates.
She has gained experience in assisting clients with tailoring legal solutions to their specific business needs, particularly with rural clients and landowners. Henrietta advises on property project contracts, options and leases, property security documentation, acquisitions and disposals, and provides transactional support on the property and project elements of corporate sales and acquisitions. She also conducts property due diligence and advises on financings and sales, including heritable title and Certificates of Title for funders.
Outside of work, Henrietta enjoys spending time with her young family, playing sports, and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
t: 0131 625 9191 e: henrietta.talbot@dcslegal.com Add Henrietta to your address book
Job Titles:
- Trainee
- Trainee / University of Dundee
LLB (Hons) The University of Glasgow; DPLP (Glasgow)
t: 0131 376 7888 e: james.elliott@dcslegal.com Add James to your address book
Vital Signs - A Primary Healthcare Blog: NHS Notional Rent - What is it?