Biggart Baillie has appointed corporate partner Alasdair ­Peacock as its new managing partner. He takes over from Derek Ellery, who will return to practice and head the corporate ­recovery practice.

Peacock, who has been a partner at the ­Scottish firm since 2000, said: “The quality of our people and the strength of our client base means that we’re better placed than many to deal with the unprecedented economic ­challenges within the legal sector.” Before joining Biggart ­Baillie, Peacock was legal director and company secretary at convenience store chain Alldays.