Pinsent Masons has appointed property partner Katharine Hardie as the latest chair of the firm's Scotland and Northern Ireland business.

Hardie will lead the firm's four offices across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Belfast, comprising approximately 600 partners, lawyers and operational staff, according to the firm.

She joined Pinsent Masons in 1990 and specialises in commercial and residential property development. She recently acted for Barclays Bank in its acquisition of a new office campus at Buchanan Wharf in Glasgow.

Hardie said in a statement: "The profession is changing and being good lawyers is no longer enough; we need to focus hard on bringing a wide range of disciplines to help address our clients' requirements.

"Equally, we need to continue to foster an inclusive culture which prides itself on driving change, and giving the very best talent a global platform from which to operate."

Hardie is one of few women to take up a top role at a top 50 U.K. firm. A handful of women have been handed roles this year, however.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer appointed litigation partner Sarah Parkes as London litigation head and named corporate partner Claire Wills London managing partner, while Jones Day appointed partner Anna Cartwright as London head of corporate.

Last month, Kennedys appointed Sheffield-based partner Suzanne Liversidge as the firm's first ever global managing partner.