Press

Lints staff moving on up as first new partners in 15 years

Published Date:
20 March 2007
By Jim Stanton
BUSINESS EDITOR
The Scotsman

LINTS, one of the Capital's best-known property solicitor names, has made its first management structure overhaul since the firm was founded 15 years ago.

The company, which ended 2006 as the third-best performing company within the 282-member Edinburgh Solicitors' Property Centre framework, has appointed its first additional partners.

Founding partner John Lints, who has run the business with wife Violet since 1992, said the internal promotions of John Cavanagh and Phil Harris signalled the Leith Walk-based firm's intention to embark on strategy of greater growth aimed at grabbing a bigger slice of Edinburgh's busy property market.

Over 2006, Lints, which is a founder member of the Edinburgh & Lothians Property Guide coalition, notched sales valued at around £105 million.

Mr Lints said: "The appointments of John and Phil is a major move forward for the firm. For the past 15 years, the business has grown and operated with my wife Violet and I at the helm.

"But with the business continuing to expand at pace, this is the right time to appoint two new partners who will allow us to maintain a sharp focus on the delivery of excellent client service.

"With the market being so competitive, the big players - such as ourselves - need to ensure they are always upping their game to improve the service they offer, whether that's through employing new staff or revitalising their internet operation."

And Mr Lints added: "With a solid, hugely experienced team of three partners now in place, it means we can really look to drive forward our success to date."

Last year, Lints handled nearly 700 property sales, a 25 per cent jump on 2005. The total value of its property sales also jumped significantly, rising 40 per cent from the 2005 figure of £75.63m.

By comparison, Warners, the Capital's biggest solicitor-estate agent - which added two new partners in January - sold 1120 properties last year with a combined value of £190m.

Mr Cavanagh has been with Lints for eight years after joining from John G Gray & Co while Mr Harris - a former partner at Aitken Nairn - has been in post for just over a year.

Looking ahead, Mr Lints said that property sales had remained strong into 2007, adding that the firm was pulling in business from all around the Capital.

"There's no doubt that 2007 is shaping up to be another extremely buoyant year for the property market," said Mr Lints.

"We've seen some desirable, quality properties fly off our shelves, fuelled in part by the current lack of supply to the market.

"That, with the continued demand for people to own their own house, means that prices will most probably continue to rise in 2007."