Brodies has long been known as one of Scotland’s most solid firms, with a good name in several areas, including litigation, employment and (despite its size) corporate. But over the past year or so the firm has also developed a reputation as one of the most acquisitive and ambitious players in the market.

The man that has overseen Brodies’ transition from dependable midsizer to a genuine challenger to the big four Scottish firms (at least in selected areas such as property) is Bill Drummond. As managing partner since 1998, he has steered Brodies to a 125 per cent revenue growth in six years and a 150 per cent rise in profit.

The most recent move came in November 2005, when Drummond swooped to pick up a five-partner commercial property team from the disintegrating Scottish midsizer Fyfe Ireland. Shrewd and opportunistic, Drummond is a class act.