Senior appointment helps law firm launch mortgages division

AMBITIOUS Aberdeen law firm Esson & Aberdein has appointed Michael Wales to the newly created post of Head of Mortgages and Protection.

He takes on the strategic role at the legal, property and financial services specialist after being appointed managing director of Moray Financial, the newly launched financial arm of professional service group Moray Group.

Father-of-one Michael, 39, who has experience working with RBS, Adam & Company and latterly as a self-employed mortgage and protection adviser, will lead Moray Financial’s immediate growth plans – with a target of £300,000 turnover in new business in its first year.

Operating between Moray Group bases across Scotland, Michael will focus on having teams of dedicated mortgage advisers appointed to Esson & Aberdein’s north east Scotland operations by mid-2022.

Michael said: “The opportunity before us is immense. Immediately I’ll be on-hand to serve clients with the group’s successful legal brands including Esson & Aberdein.

“Following early meetings with the senior team I can see the task in front of us and it’s hugely exciting. Their ambition and drive matches my own.

“I’m under no illusions there will be a need to roll our sleeves up over the coming months. We must quickly establish ourselves and deliver the excellence and service-levels that are expected of the Moray Group brands.

“At the same time I’ll be delivering on a plan to grow the Moray Financial brand while we seek to employ likeminded advisers and support staff. We’ll be going on a recruitment drive soon, but would welcome contact from potential candidates immediately.”

As well as adopting the latest technology to improve client service and access, Moray Financial will operate on a no-fee basis on the vast majority of cases, meaning that costs will be incorporated into preferential rates.

Rob Aberdein, Chief Executive and Founder of Esson & Aberdein, said: “Mortgages and protection was the clear and obvious next step for our business given how much we have been referring elsewhere.  

“Michael is an exceptional talent and the perfect candidate to be at the helm of this new brand, with a potent mix of energy and high-level experience.”

Moray Group was launched in 2020, as a tech-focused professional services umbrella group. Its aim is to develop or acquire legal or other professional services practices with scope for growth.

Moray Group has a financial target of achieving a turnover of £10m by the end of 2022. On the legal side its focus is on estate agency, conveyancing, debt recovery, dispute resolution and litigation, wills and executries, powers of attorney, family law and accessible corporate law for SMEs.

Businesses in the group include upmarket legal and estate agency specialist Simpson & Marwick in Edinburgh and Glasgow-based Alston Law which it acquired last year.