Business law expert Iain Thom is revving up the company and commercial division at Southampton-based legal firm Eric Robinson Solicitors.

Iain, who can often be seen arriving for work on his 750cc motorbike, brings a wealth of regional, national and international experience to his new role as head of company and commercial law at the firm's Queen's Keep offices in the city centre.

Iain, 42, graduated from law school in 1987 and went on to gain further qualifications in European law and accreditation as a mediator.

As well as working in commercial litigation for legal firms and commercial property developers he spent three years as a company secretary, marketing manager and consultant to Aldershot-based engineering claims consultancy Dal-Sterling Group.

His experiences have ranged from advising a high-flying first division football club to dealing with building contracts all over the world and helping a major joint venture operating a franchise for water supplies to Manila.

"That was a really fascinating job,'' said Iain. "It was very different to dealing with clients in an office in the UK and gave me an entirely new take on management.''

Iain also spent a year as a successful sole practitioner before joining Eric Robinson Solicitors in Southampton.