Bird Semple names media and IT unit

Scottish firm Bird Semple is continuing its restructuring following the ousting of its chief executive by rebadging its media and technology group with the name Bird Semple TechMedia.

TechMedia is planning an aggressive drive into the Aberdeen legal market and has also approached London IP/IT specialist firm Bird & Bird to discuss mutual referral arrangements and a possible joint marketing initiative.

As reported by The Lawyer last July, the firm had a four-month management review following which chief executive Neill Mulvie was removed.

The review, by legal management consultancy Hodgart Temporal, also led to a decision to concentrate on core business areas such as IT, media and property.

Norman Oliver, partner and head of TechMedia, said that the 10-strong fee earner group is targeting potential clients in the oil and gas industry based in the Aberdeen area traditionally a difficult marketplace for Central Scotland firms to break into.

The group is also aiming to woo companies in the North of England. Oliver said he had so far only met with Bird & Bird and that any link would stop short of a full merger.

TechMedia will have an identity distinct from Bird Semple, including separate note paper and business cards.

Oliver said that there were no current plans to hive off TechMedia from the Bird Semple equity. But he added that if it was successful, such an arrangement "might well come out in the wash".