Elaine Farquharson-Black is a partner at Brodies LLP, where she leads the Housebuilding

team and co-leads Planning. Ranked in Band 1 for Planning in Chambers UK 2025,

Ranking as a Leading Partner for planning by Legal 500 UK 2026 and Accredited as a

specialist in planning law by the Law Society of Scotland for over 20 years.

Building a Career

Elaine has built a distinguished legal career as one of Scotland’s leading planning lawyers.

Before joining Brodies in 2019, she spent more than 25 years at Burness Paull, including as

Partner and Head of Planning. Her work has helped secure planning permission for

thousands of new homes, and she is recognised for taking a collaborative, strategic and

constructive approach with clients and public bodies.

Beyond Business: Why Golf Still Matters

Long before Elaine became known as a leading planning lawyer, she had already made her

mark in golf. Born in Aberdeen, she was one of Scotland’s outstanding amateur golfers,

playing in Adult competition at the age of just nine! Elaine went on to win the Helen Holm

Scottish Women’s Open Championship in 1987 and the Scottish Women’s Amateur

Championship in 1990. She represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup in 1990

and 1992, and later returned as non-playing captain in 2016 and 2018.

Elaine’s journey reflects a rare blend of elite sport, professional excellence and service to the

community. Her early years in golf included national and international team honours, and she

later chose to focus on her real passion law, building a career in the same city where her

sporting story began.

Away from client work, Elaine has contributed to the wider housing, city-centre and

community landscape. She has served as a director of Homes for Scotland and Aberdeen

Inspired, chaired the Scottish branch of the Compulsory Purchase Association, and chaired

the Board of Trustees of Aberdeen FC Community Trust.

Elaine has recently created a get into golf group at Brodies for women to help grow the sport

and help boost the profiles of her colleagues both on and off the course!

That combination of professional leadership, sporting achievement and civic commitment

makes her a natural guest for a conversation where golf, business and community all meet.

Quick-Fire Q&A

Favourite colour? Pink (Didn’t have a Pink Finance Caddie hat) How about Red?

Driver or wedge? Driver

St Andrews Old Course or Augusta National? Augusta National

Indoor golf or outdoor golf? Depends on the weather

Meetings on the golf course or off the golf course? Off the golf course

Hole in one or under par? Under par

Stocks or savings? Both

Risk or safe? Both

Long-term or quick win? Long-term

Profit or growth? Growth

Spreadsheet or gut feeling? Ask my adviser!

What is harder: understanding company finance or fixing your golf swing? Financial Statements

Thank you, Elaine, for being such a tremendous guest for the series.