Thorntons is continuing its strategic growth with the appointment of Ricardo Matteo as a partner in the firm’s newly established banking team.
His addition further broadens Thorntons’ corporate and commercial offering and follows the firm’s recent merger with Macnabs.
Ricardo, who will be based in Thorntons’ Glasgow office, joins from Harper Macleod, where he trained and qualified in 2016. Over the past nine years, he has developed significant expertise in banking and finance, acting for a range of lenders and borrowers in complex transactional work. He also has a growing interest in vessel finance and advises clients on ship building and on the sale and acquisition of vessels. .
Originally from Glasgow and a graduate of the University of Glasgow, Ricardo brings deep local knowledge alongside sectoral experience that complements Thorntons’ broader commercial services. His appointment enhances the firm’s ability to advise clients on a wider range of finance-related matters, strengthening its presence in an area of increasing demand.
Aimee Gibbons, partner and lead for Thorntons’ Glasgow office, said: “Ricardo is a fantastic addition to our growing team here in Glasgow. His arrival represents a further step forward in expanding our specialist capabilities and ensuring we deliver the depth and breadth of service our clients expect. His technical expertise and commercial approach will be a real asset to our clients across Scotland.”
Ricardo Matteo said: “I am joining Thorntons at what is clearly an exciting and ambitious time for the firm. There’s huge potential to build on the strength of the existing commercial team and support clients across a broad range of banking and finance matters. I’m also looking forward to contributing to the continued growth of the Glasgow office and bolstering the city where I grew up and studied law.”
Thorntons opened its first permanent Glasgow office in 2023 and it is now the firm’s fastest growing location, achieving growth of 72% in its first year of operations.
The firm continues to build on its footprint in the Central Belt after completing a merger with Macnabs on 31 March this year. The addition of a dedicated Banking team is a further evolution in Thorntons’ full-service legal offering and underlines its commitment to investing in the areas clients need most.