New female partner for 'macho' firm

Dickson Minto has created what is understood to be its first female partner by poaching from top Scottish firm McGrigor Donald.

Scottish intellectual property and information technology partner Fiona Akers has joined the Edinburgh office of Dickson Minto.

A senior source says: "This will be a blow to McGrigor Donald. Fiona is very well regarded and this leaves only one IP name at the firm, Shoanig McPherson."

But McGrigors' Edinburgh managing partner Shoanig McPherson says: "We have no plans to replace Fiona at present as the skills within the intellectual property and information technology team are already impressive and we have a wealth of litigation experience within the firm."

Dickson Minto is the leading Scottish firm for corporate finance. Observers say an IT specialist will boost services to venture capital clients.

Another source says it is an interesting appointment for Dickson Minto as Akers will be the firm's first female partner: "She must be their first lady partner. I suspect they have a fairly macho culture there."