THE PRESIDENT of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has joined Anderson Strathern in a cross-departmental role designed to help the law firm build relationships in the business community.

Transport and infrastructure specialist Neil Amner, who spent two decades at Biggart Baillie, leaving after it was taken over by DWF, has joined the firm from Curle Stewart, where he has been a consultant since last year.

He said his experience at the chamber, which will see him join a trade delegation to China next week, gives him a “different perspective to most other lawyers”.

“My work at the chamber helps me get an understanding of where clients are coming from,” he said.

“It’s not something that adds [to Anderson Strathern] in a fee income sense but in a wider client service sense it’s a great way to have conversations with senior business people, civil servants and academics.

“You’ve got to understand what clients are trying to achieve.”

Anderson Strathern managing partner Murray McCall said Mr Amner’s hire was “fantastic” for the firm, adding that “the new approach of having a firm-wide role is part of developing business across the firm and not in one specific area “.

Mr Amner, who also chairs the Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s economic advisory group, has practised across departments throughout his career.

“In the strict constraints of how law firms organise themselves I happily sit in the no man’s land between three departments - commercial property, corporate and litigation,” he said.