Ms Aris brings over 30 years’ experience of working in the legal sector. She has worked in Edinburgh, London and Brussels and has now moved back to the Borders, where she grew up, to build on her knowledge of the local property market.

She is the firm’s first hire in Galashiels and will work out of a new hub office being set up within the local branch of mortgage broker First Mortgage on Channel Street.

She said: “Joining Gilson Gray is the start of a new exciting chapter of my career. I’m enjoying working in the Borders again and look forward to the opportunities the local market will bring.

“The firm has a market-leading residential conveyancing offering, and I’m pleased to become the face of that in Galashiels.”

Debbie McCathie, partner and head of residential conveyancing at Gilson Gray, said: “Sharon’s appointment and our new location represent further regional expansion for the firm’s conveyancing team and forms part of the wider growth strategy.

“Having a local footprint will open the door to additional opportunities in the area, with a fresh face representing Gilson Gray.

“We are excited at the prospect of further developing our offering alongside the First Mortgage team.”