Trio of new Partner appointments at Mackinnons

Mackinnons Solicitors LLP has appointed three new partners across its property and marine commercial teams.

Angus Easton, who has many years of experience in marine and commercial shipping work advising clients on charter parties, ship sales and purchases, joint ventures and fisheries law, has been promoted to Partner within the Marine Commercial Team.

Gregor Sim, previously a Partner with James & George Collie, has been promoted to Partner from Senior Associate in the firm’s property department, specialising in rural, residential and private client work.

Pamela Bursill, who has almost 30 years of experience in residential property work advising clients on Deeside and beyond, joined Mackinnons in 2021 and has now been promoted to Partner in the busy and fast expanding property team.

Pat Gray, one of the firm’s senior partners, said: “I am delighted to welcome Angus, Gregor and Pamela as Partners in Mackinnons and congratulate them on their well deserved promotions. The trio of new Partner appointments is further evidence of our investment in first rate legal talent and ability as Mackinnons continue to focus on supporting our clients by delivering premium legal advice, guidance and reassurance.

“The new generation of lawyers coming through the firm is extremely capable, hard working, and most importantly, share the same values as those who have gone before them. We see a positive, strong and successful future ahead and look forward to working with our three new Partners and to taking the firm to even greater places in the years to come.”

Granite Noir returns for 2023

Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s crime writing festival, returns this month with a packed programme highlighting Aberdeen’s history, atmosphere and a strong sense of place and celebrating the very best crime writing.

With a particular focus on the Gothic this year, Granite Noir welcomes writers including Val McDermid, Charlie Higson, and Louise Welsh, science communicator Kathryn Harkup and KC Wendy Joseph and offers audiences gripping author talks, great music, captivating exhibitions and fascinating workshops.

The award-winning festival, now in its seventh year, darkens the doors of venues across the city including Aberdeen Arts Centre, St Nicholas Kirk, the Music Hall and Lemon Tree over four days from February 23-26.

Kellas Midstream appoints new CEO

Kellas Midstream, the Aberdeen-headquartered independent energy infrastructure company, has appointed Nathan Morgan as its CEO starting in February 2023.

Nathan brings more than 20 years of energy industry experience and in-depth knowledge applicable to the UK North Sea.

He will take over from Managing Director, Andy Hessell, who will retire at the end of January 2023 after 35 years in the energy industry and eight years with Kellas.

Andy said: “I am incredibly proud of my time at Kellas and believe we have set the standard for how to successfully own, operate, and grow an independent energy infrastructure business. I am leaving Kellas in a strong position with three gas infrastructure assets of national significance, and a tremendous platform for future growth both in its core gas transportation and processing business, as well as in new energies such as hydrogen production that will play a vital role in achieving net zero. I look forward to seeing Kellas continue to thrive and wish everyone within the business all the very best for the future.”

Nathan is joining from Total Energies where he has spent the last 17 years in a range of roles, most recently Head of E&P Gas and LNG Marketing and Business Support with responsibility for a multi-country team. He also headed up business development for Uganda, leading commercial, planning, government relations, corporate communications, and asset management activities.

Nathan said: “Kellas has been critical to the development of the UK North Sea and is positioned to play an equally significant role in its future. Building on the solid foundation established by Andy and the rest of the team, I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues, our customers, operating partners, and shareholders to deliver innovative and sustainable energy infrastructure solutions across the existing business and new energies.”

Prestigious £1.7million fellowship for clinical trials scientist

A senior Scientist with the University of Aberdeen has been awarded a significant fellowship from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to explore how to maximise the potential for behavioural science to improve how clinical trials are run.

Dr Katie Gillies, Director of the Health Care Assessment Programme, at the University’s Health Services Research Unit (HSRU), has been awarded a £1.7million Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship (SNCF) which will support three researchers and a PhD student over a period of five years.

Dr Gillies explains: “Trials are expensive. The UK spent almost £100million on trials during 2019-2020 just through the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

“This proposed programme of research aims to develop methods to improve the conduct of clinical trials and will specifically look at how people’s behaviours, including what they do and how, affects their success.

“The research has the potential to generate a step-change in the way trial teams deliver clinical trials by addressing who needs to do what differently to whom, when and how. The promise of this research is the major improvements to trials from using better methods to design and conduct better trials for the millions of patients who participate every year.

“The receipt of this fellowship is significant because it provides resource to allow me and my team to focus on researching whether and how behavioural science can be used to maximise the delivery of clinical trials to enhance patient benefit. I am delighted to receive this fellowship and hope that it highlights the importance of trials methods research as a priority for future funding.”