FULL-service legal firm Gilson Gray has expanded into the Scottish Borders, with the appointment of Sharon Aris to a new hub office in Galashiels.

Sharon Aris brings over 30 years’ experience of working in the legal sector. Over the years she has worked in Edinburgh, London and Brussels and has now moved back to the Borders, where she grew up, to build on her knowledge of the local property market.

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Sharon is the firm’s first hire in Galashiels and will work out of a new hub office being set up within the local branch of mortgage broker First Mortgage on Channel Street.

First Mortgage and Gilson Gray have an established working relationship across Scotland, and the co-location will allow both businesses to further grow their footprint into the Galashiels area. Clients of both organisations will now have the opportunity to access multiple services under one roof.

The tie-up with First Mortgage follows a string of recent appointments and promotions across Gilson Gray’s growing conveyancing and residential property division. The firm now has a team of around 150 property experts across Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, East Lothian, Lincoln and Galashiels.

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Sharon Aris said: “Joining Gilson Gray is the start of a new exciting chapter of my career. I’m enjoying working in the Borders again and look forward to the opportunities the local market will bring. The firm has a market-leading residential conveyancing offering, and I’m pleased to become the face of that in Galashiels.”

Debbie McCathie, partner and head of residential conveyancing at Gilson Gray, said: “Sharon’s appointment and our new location represent further regional expansion for the firm’s conveyancing team and forms part of the wider growth strategy. Having a local footprint will open the door to additional opportunities in the area, with a fresh face representing Gilson Gray. We are excited at the prospect of further developing our offering alongside the First Mortgage team.”

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Lyndsey Burke, office and sales manager at First Mortgage, added: “We share similar values to Gilson Gray and strive to offer the same high standards of service to our clients, so it makes sense to share a space with the firm. The local market has proven incredibly busy since we opened our doors in May – particularly with clients taking up the Scottish Government’s low-cost initiative for first-time buyers (LIFT). While clients will still have the choice of the entire market, Gilson Gray will be a great addition to our office and be on hand to advise on all the legal aspects of property.”