Biggart Baillie Solicitors

Iain McLean

Partner, Edinburgh

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Iain is a well known figure in the property market throughout Scotland and the UK particularly in the retail, investment, hotel and leisure sectors.  He is an integral part of Biggart Baillie’s property team which acts for a wide variety of clients from large household names through to new ventures just opening in the UK.
 
Iain’s strength in the property market has led him to taking on a Business Development role for the firm, looking to secure strategic new clients in property and other areas as we emerge from the downturn.

He has forged strong links and working relationships throughout the UK and, importantly,  beyond.  Increasingly, Iain has been involved in work for developers and investors such as Kenmore and Local Shopping Reit plc mainly (but not exclusively) in the retail sector as well as other more esoteric property transactions in the industrial and residential sectors.  He is also involved in cross border corporate transactions and recently led the team involved in advising Blackstone on Scottish aspects of their purchase of the Hilton Group. The continued development of our hotel and leisure practise is a strategic focus, working closely with Graeme Kelly.

Iain’s retail clients include Debenhams, Bhs, Monsoon, Halfords, Card Factory and B&M Bargains and most recently Jack Wills in connection with their new Glasgow flagship store.

In recent months , Iain and the team have become more involved in a number of insolvency situations including Scottish aspects of the JJB CVA, and the disposal and acquisition of distressed property assets by and from administrators including pre-pack deals. 

The team was also delighted to act for Hammerson and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board in their £297m acquisition of Silverburn Shopping Centre. We are now acting on the ongoing asset management and leasing of the Centre.

Recently Iain acted for Invista Foundation Property Trust in its acquisition of Keith House, Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh, for around £8m. The client commented that "the acquisition of Keith House in Edinburgh illustrates that we are now able to identify and take advantage of new investment opportunities with good property fundamentals at very attractive pricing and income yields."

Iain is always willing to explore new initiatives and will always take the time to return that call or respond to that email. It doesn’t take too much encouragement to him get out from behind his desk.  Iain is adept at making useful connections both for Biggart Baillie and clients and works well with our experts in other related areas such as banking, planning, environmental, construction, tax, employment and corporate as and when required.  His team includes associate Chris Noble and Azad Sadollah, with Diane Murphy as the team’s “put upon” secretary.

Chambers 2011 commented that "....this "undoubtedly first-rate retail firm is noted for its broad range of clients".....

Iain also is recognised as an Expert in Legal Experts 2010.

Iain has been a member of the WS Council and participates in events such as BCSC, MIPIM, MAPIC and the IHIF in Berlin as well as having an active social and domestic life, juggling family, golf and rugby (both coaching and playing) alongside occasional charitable ventures.

Please see the Howardsway Walk website for the current project which has already raised over £40,000 for pancreatic cancer research.