LAW FIRM TAKES STOCK OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES

June 2009

One of Scotland’s most experienced financial services advisors, Chris Donald, co-founder of Futurity plc, has launched a new financial services company, working in association with Maxwell MacLaurin solicitors.

Based in Edinburgh, Innovate will operate independently as well as serve the financial services needs of Glasgow and Edinburgh based, Maxwell MacLaurin.

In 1997 Chris launched Futurity plc, a wealth management company, which grew to report a turnover of just under £2m and a staff of 22 based in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 2006 he sold the business to a financial services group. Previous positions include 13 years with the Inland Revenue and 12 years with a life company operating between bases in both the UK and New York. Chris is well known within the business community for his work with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust where he remains a panel member. He is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Financial Services Marketing and lectured students at Edinburgh University as part of their dissertation in 2007. In 2006 Chris was on the degree approval board at Napier University.

Innovate will seek to advise both corporate and private clients on their investment portfolios and financial aspects, working alongside Maxwell MacLaurin’s private clients, in particular.

Chris, who is already operating directly from offices in Glasgow with ambitions to have a staff of 10 in the next 5 years said, “Given the current climate it is crucial that individual’s take time to review their financial affairs and portfolios to ensure that they are maximising the yield on their investments. Many people have had their fingers burned for failing to regularly monitor the performance of their portfolios but despite the challenging market there are some great opportunities for investment.”

Peter Duff, Managing Partner, Maxwell MacLaurin added, “We have a significant private client business who will benefit from receiving sound advice from someone with Chris’ significant experience, as well as the added convenience of being able to look at both the legal and financial implications of any important decision making.”

Maxwell MacLaurin offers a full range of legal services with expertise in private client, family and child law, business law and property. Further information is available from www.maxwellmaclaurin.co.uk and www.innovate-fs.co.uk.