Recruitment

KPMG

KPMG UK have promoted ten colleagues to director positions across its three Scottish offices. Laura Wiseman (Audit) and Meredith Casey (Deal Advisory) become directors in KPMG’s Edinburgh office.

Along the M8, six new Glasgow based directors were also announced. They are Pauline Devine (Tax), Brendan Harley (Consulting), Allan Kyle (Tax), Nikki Palfreman (Audit), Graham Robertson (Tax) and Graeme Wilson (Consulting).

In Aberdeen, Vanessa Silcocks (Audit) and Natalie Macfadyen (Tax) have been promoted to director.

James Kergon, Scotland senior partner at KPMG in the UK, said: “I’m really pleased to see ten colleagues take this important next step in their careers with KPMG and further strengthen our senior counsel in Scotland.

“As we focus on being the fastest growing, most trusted professional services firm, we know how important it is to develop our people so they can have fulfilling careers and clients have access to the brightest and best talent in the market.”

On 1 October KPMG also announced the promotion of 96 other colleagues, including three new Audit directors – Sarah Marchant, Megan Fuller and Ian Prescott.

xDesign

Edinburgh headquartered digital development partner, xDesign has bolstered its Business Development team with the appointment of Jamie MacLaren.

He will report to xDesign’s recently appointed Chief Growth Officer, Malcolm Seagrave, as the team’s new Head of Business Development for Scotland. He will support the company’s regional growth strategy whilst expanding its client base in Scotland.

Talking about his appointment, Jamie, said: “I’ve arrived at xDesign at a truly pivotal moment in its growth journey. Having worked in the tech sector for well over twenty years now, I’ve built up a tremendous bank of knowledge, contacts and approaches which I think can be leveraged to take the company to the next level in the near future.

“Not only does it have a solid reputation for delivering high-quality digital products and services for its clients, its resolute focus on people – whether team members, clients or end users – was a particularly appealing factor in my decision to join Euan, Malcolm and the rest of the xDesign team.

“It’s no surprise that Great Place to Work ranked it as number one in its recent table of best UK tech companies to work for. With a vibrant culture, clear purpose, and ambitious growth plan in place, I’m really excited to be part of the journey and to see what 2023 brings.”

xDesign’s Founder and CEO, Euan Andrews, added: “Having worked for some major B2B tech consultancies we felt the breadth and depth of Jamie’s experience and knowledge could give xDesign an edge in what is a highly competitive space right now.

“At a time when we’re looking to keep up the growth momentum, we’ve enjoyed throughout 2022, we know Jamie is the person for the job – particularly when it comes to spotting lucrative market opportunities; forging new client partnerships, and keeping xDesign’s profile front of mind across the Scottish and UK sector.

“On top of all of this, he’s also a big believer in our culture which is a powerful driving force within the business. Like the rest of xDesign, he believes that the combination of great people and great tech can go a long way in improving the lives of end users.”

ScotlandIS

Dermot Murray has been announced as the new Chair of ScotlandIS. He brings a wealth of knowledge and sector insight to the role.

As chair of the board, he will oversee the organisation’s mission to develop digitals skills in Scotland, enable start-ups to establish themselves and scale up, as well as align key stakeholders across the country.

Joining Murray will be two new members on the board. Roz Barrance, Director of Business Development at Leidos and Maggie Morrison, Board Director at Hi55 Ventures, will add to the diverse range of experience at the head of the organisation.

Commenting on his appointment, Murray said: “I’m very proud to take on chair of ScotlandIS at a crucial time for tech in Scotland. Today, businesses big and small across wide-ranging industries fully appreciate the vital role that tech and data play in their businesses. ScotlandIS helps to facilitate relationships and lay the groundwork for Scotland’s digital transformation.

“I’ve been a member of ScotlandIS for many years and have felt the benefits of this brilliant organisation first-hand. Since my first introduction to ScotlandIS at their annual ScotSoft event, I have been impressed by the sense of community and close-knit, supportive network that they create in the Scottish tech scene. As we look ahead to another difficult year for business, it’s more important than ever that we protect this community and nurture the huge digital tech talent in Scotland.

“Scotland’s tech sector has a fantastic future– and promoting skills and supporting start-ups is central to achieving success. As a father and husband, with three daughters, I’ve long wanted to see more digital opportunities for all in education. I’m proud to play a role in making that happen and feel honoured to lead the brilliant work of ScotlandIS.”

Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS added: “I am delighted to welcome Dermot as our new chair and Maggie and Roz as our new board members, each of them brings valuable skills and experience which will help us drive forward and deliver our ambitions over the coming year.”

Pufferfish

Pufferfish announced that Ross Wilson will take up the role of head of marketing, and be responsible for improving the firms market position, drive growth and deliver commercial results.

With a background in broadcast media, Ross has worked internationally as a consultant, providing high-level guidance to the government of the United Arab Emirates on the development of their new national museum.

He has also led marketing and communications for the UK’s largest all seated theatre, the Edinburgh Playhouse, and headed up marketing for the renowned National Galleries of Scotland.

A chartered marketer, as well as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ross also holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh, and has been the recipient of 19 major industry awards.

Commenting on his role, Wilson said: “Some of the biggest brands in the world trust the innovative products and services that Pufferfish provides.

“Having the likes of NASA, Microsoft and Google on your client list shows we’re on the right path and I am proud to be asked to be part of the team helping with the journey.”

Intelligent Growth Solutions

Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) has welcomed business leader and attorney, Andrea Zopp, to its board.

Zopp joins IGS’ non-executive team to help drive forward the business’ global expansion as it builds capacity to deploy its vertical farming machines to customers on four continents.

Talking about her decision to join IGS’ non-executive team, Zopp commented: “IGS is an innovative, technology driven leader serving the vertical farming industry, a critical sector for addressing food security across the globe.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to join the board as the company focuses on accelerating its market expansion and growth.”

David Farquhar, Chief Executive Officer at IGS, added: “Andy is a hugely welcome addition to our non-executive leadership team at IGS as we look to the next chapter in our history.

“She joins us at a pivotal juncture as we look to inspire more women, especially in STEM roles, join this very exciting voyage. On her last visit to Scotland, Andy was keen to give her time to meet with our current and aspiring women leaders: this was a wonderful, inspirational event.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience and a depth of perspective that will help reframe our governance and ensure that the business is fit for purpose as we take on this challenge. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to tap into her knowledge and insights and know she will help us achieve our vision of helping to combat global food insecurity.”

ePOS Hybrid

Scottish tech firm ePOS Hybrid has appointed Andrew Gibbon as its first COO to drive the international expansion and boost sales.

Gibbon has helped the ePOS Hybrid to successfully expand. As COO, he will continue to head up the commercial side of the business, focusing on generating rapid user and revenue growth by delivering strategic direction, leadership and strategy execution across the sales, marketing, operations, customer success, and partnership teams.

He will also work closely with CEO, Bhas Kalangi, to coordinate and manage the upcoming series A funding round in 2023, and it’s expansion into the European, Australian, and American markets.

Gibbon commented: “Over the last three years, ePOS Hybrid has become one of the most powerful hospitality and point-of-sale platforms available in the UK. We’ve scaled from pre-revenue to a point where over 12 million consumers have used our products just a few years later. To have played a central role in that growth has been incredible.

“To be stepping up to COO at the firm at the age of 30 is a massive personal achievement for me among plenty of great moments we’ve had so far as a business. The start-up journey is hard but the prospect of continuing ePOS Hybrid on its trajectory of exponential growth is obviously an exciting one as we begin targeting new international territories and taking new products to market.

“I’ve been lucky to be involved in the firm from the outset. We’ve grown from just a couple of people in the office with zero customers to a team of 25 serving thousands of businesses throughout the UK and abroad. With another major funding push just around the corner, we are vying for further major expansion across the UK and overseas.”

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Space Scotland

Space Scotland has announced appointment of Dr Hina Khan as its first Executive Director.

Dr Khan said that, in her new role, she plans to use her expertise to help accelerate the sector’s growth and collaboration.

As well as Dr Khan, space, health and energy specialist, Dr Natasha Nicholson has taken the role of Cluster Manager, with further roles set to be filled over the coming months.

Based in Glasgow, Dr Khan said: “Landing a leading role at Space Scotland really was my dream and when I heard about the opportunity, I knew this was something that I had to be part of. Throughout my career, I have helped numerous companies drive forward their ambitions in space technology, so much so that when I was offered the Executive Director position, I couldn’t have imagined a better fit.

“I like to look at my role as ensuring that space capabilities are utilised by people who need it as part of their infrastructure and for business connections. Understanding space technology can help us conceptualise the bigger picture and how space benefits our everyday life, from agriculture, to the energy that heats our homes to the simple act of making a phone call.

“The space sector in Scotland is a very close-knit community which creates togetherness for businesses across the board. This means that we can connect with the people who make the decisions very quickly to create real and tangible outcomes, which is a great benefit.”

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Aiber

Scottish MedTech firm Aiber announced plans to double its workforce following the upgrade of its industry-leading ‘carry onboard’ solution to support medical emergencies.

The upgrade was informed by six months of intensive trials supported by Boeing.

Jacqueline Davidson, program director of Boeing’s Aerospace Xelerated said: “We are delighted to have supported the Aiber team with this important phase of testing and validation of their inflight emergency product.”

The medtech company will further roll out its product to customers in the aviation and maritime sectors in Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

Anne Roberts, co-founder and chief executive of Aiber said: “At the heart of everything we do is supporting air crews with lifesaving skills and emergency management by giving them the tools they need to communicate the emergency properly, so they can respond in a calm and confident manner whilst the airline can demonstrate responsible safety mitigation.”

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Zumo

Zumo announced the hiring of Vicky Byrom as its first Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO).

Byrom will drive the development of Zumo’s data strategy to meet the evolving needs of the business, managing and governing data whilst also ensuring the value of that data is fully realised as a strategic asset. Her focus will be on making data analytics accessible, transparent, secure and useful to the organisation.

She will be responsible for establishing a data governance committee to map data across the business, making sure new data sources are prioritised, ingested and promoted in adherence to regulatory frameworks. Vicky will also oversee the improvement of data literacy across the organisation, identifying opportunities to develop data-driven approaches to business challenges.

Byrom said of her appointment: “I’m a self-confessed data nerd and have spent my career bringing profitable order to data anarchy. Lots of organisations claim to be data-driven, but most don’t do it very well. That’s because data is often an ill-considered afterthought.”

“It’s hugely exciting to join Zumo, a well-respected company that wears its green credentials on its sleeve. It’s an opportunity to work with the very best in fintech. I’m looking forward to helping Zumo use data in a more proactive way. It’s a big asset that can inform customer and business processes as the company moves from start-up to scale-up.”

SnapDragon Monitoring

SnapDragon Monitoring announced appointment of commercial lawyer Ewan McIntyre as its first General Counsel.

The appointment re-unites McIntyre with CEO of the firm Rachel Jones, who first collaborated in the IP and technology space in the early nineties when e-commerce was just taking off.

Jones commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ewan to our growing team. Brands and consumers are increasingly being defrauded by criminals. The more we can do to drive awareness of these threats, which are ever evolving, the better.

“As part of his role, Ewan will be using his extensive legal expertise to drive further awareness around the many online threats posed to consumers and brands. At best, an unwitting bargain hunter may receive a poor-quality copycat product: at worst they can be scarred for life.”

Partnerships

Abertay CyberQuarter

Abertay University has announced the first founding partners connected to its Abertay cyberQuarter centre.

Each of the founding partners will have access to Abertay cyberQuarter’s secure office spaces, with the ability to locate staff in the hub, and to use it as a base for specific activities, projects, or collaborations.

Director of the cyberQuarter, Professor Lynne Coventry said securing the founding partners was an important step towards achieving the centre’s goals of creating new jobs for the region, driving forward research, knowledge-exchange, and innovation activities, producing solutions to real-world cybersecurity problems and addressing the loss of Scotland’s best cybersecurity talent to other UK hubs.

Coventry said: “This announcement marks another milestone moment for Abertay cyberQuarter as we continue to build the community of businesses, organisations, and key stakeholders that we will engage with as we move forward.

“It’s hugely pleasing that our founding partners represent a diverse mix; from cybersecurity and tech companies with experience in the sector, to groups working to strengthen Scotland’s networking and resilience capabilities, and also to public sector partners who see the value in basing themselves in the heart of our thriving cyber community here in Dundee.

“On a global level, all organisations are facing an increasingly sophisticated range of cybersecurity threats. Abertay cyberQuarter can help generate solutions to these by providing a platform for collaboration between industry, our academic experts, and our students.”

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Wideblue and UofG

Glasgow-based Wideblue has worked with the University of Glasgow on building a gravimeter device which can detect minute changes in local gravity caused by magma flow which provides early warning of a potential volcano eruption.

Several of the devices have now been deployed in the field on Mount Etna in Sicily, to start collecting valuable data which can be used in conjunction with other early warning systems.

The device, called Wee-G, measures the flow of lava (shifting of mass) at the summit of the volcano.

Barry Warden, managing director, Wideblue said: “We have been working closely with the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow on the product design and development of the Wee-G.”

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Scottish Enterprise and AccelerateHER

Economic development agency Scottish Enterprise has been named as a key partner supporting the AccelerateHER Awards 2023.

Scottish Enterprise has joined a partnership between AccelerateHER and its existing awards programme supporters, Barclays Eagle Labs, and the Scottish Government.

The awards, now in their eighth year, are open to women who are founders or co-founders of companies which are Scottish-based or actively trading in Scotland.

AccelerateHER CEO Elizabeth Pirrie commented: “We’re delighted to announce Scottish Enterprise as a key partner of the AccelerateHER Awards 2023. This support enables us to offer a full day of in-person coaching to all the shortlisted finalists, which will help them through the awards programme and prepare them for pitching to investors in the future.

“The involvement of Scottish Enterprise builds on our existing partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs and the Scottish Government, further underlining the strength and credibility of these awards and their positive impact on supporting female-led businesses in Scotland.”

Leah Pape, Head of High Growth Services at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We understand that one of the keys to economic success is having a diverse and inclusive business base, so it’s great that we’ve been able to partner with AccelerateHER, a programme that helps female founders reach their full potential and with which we have a long-standing relationship.

“It’s especially pleasing that this year’s awards will focus on entrepreneurs and businesses which are a ‘force for good’, as we find today’s most innovative and high-growth companies are those providing solutions to pressing global challenges.”

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Amiqus and Scottish Refugee Council

Scottish tech company Amiqus has initiated a three-year staff fundraising partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council.

The goal of the three-year partnership is to create a model by delivering impact through this partnership, that other scaling companies across the UK can replicate to engage with the third sector.

Amiqus team members will be able to allocate paid development days to fundraise for SRC, which the company will match fund up to £500 per team member annually.

CEO at Amiqus, Callum Murray, commented: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and now, more than ever, charities like Scottish Refugee Council are faced with very difficult decisions about what they can provide and how they allocate vital services which can’t be replicated anywhere else.

“It’s my view that businesses can and should step up to play a supporting role; demonstrating a commitment to the wider communities we all serve.

“By partnering with SRC, we want to increase our understanding of the digital exclusion and complex barriers faced by vulnerable groups and displaced people, as part of our commitment to reinvent the delivery of regulated services and make legal help accessible.”

Dr Sabir Zazai (OBE, FRSE), Chief Executive at Scottish Refugee Council added: “It’s extremely encouraging to see that a variety of actors in our communities across Scotland, including those in the corporate sector, are pulling together to support refugees and asylum seekers as new Scots, while they navigate their way through what is an extremely difficult and stressful time of their lives”.

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Awards

FinTech Scotland

Stephen Ingledew, the Chairman of FinTech Scotland, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to the UK fintech sector.

He formed and led FinTech Scotland in 2018, initially as chief executive, and has now been recognised as one of the top fintech cluster management organisations in the UK and Europe.

Recent examples of FinTech Scotland’s cluster leadership have included the Research and Innovation Roadmap, as well as bringing together the diverse range financial innovation stakeholders to foster collaboration across the UK.

He is also one of the founders of the FinTech National Network which facilitates collaboration across all UK regional fintech clusters.

Ingledew commented: “I am honoured to receive an OBE for services to financial technology. To be recognised for doing something I am passionate about is incredible and I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many people who have provided valuable support to me.

“It is a huge privilege to be at the heart of financial innovation, shaping the future economy and breaking down barriers and division across the UK, especially with new initiatives such as the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology and Innovation Accelerators”

Openreach

Brendan Dick has been awarded the OBE for services to Telecommunications and to Business in Scotland in King Charles’ first Honours list.

The Edinburgh-based business veteran was director of BT in Scotland from 2006-18 and chaired the Openreach Scotland Board from 2018-21, following the digital network’s legal separation from its parent BT Group.

He remains an executive adviser to the Board, now led by Chief Commercial Officer Katie Milligan, in addition to several other executive, non-executive and advisory roles.

Dick commented: “I started out in the telecoms industry in 1980. In that time Scotland has moved from a copper-driven telephony country to one that’s exploiting fibre broadband capability in one of the most challenging geographies in Europe – and doing it well.

“I’m delighted to have been part of that journey and, with the broader business community, look forward to Scotland continuing to exploit digital in the global economy. That’s the challenge and we must stay sharply focused on it.”

Legasea

Environmental energy service company, Legasea has been named as a finalist in the Subsea Expo Awards, in the category of Company of the Year (under 50 employees).

The Subsea Expo Awards recognise the companies and individuals who are leading the way in the underwater sector. Organised by the Global Underwater Hub, the awards will take place on February 22, 2023, at P&J Live in Aberdeen.

Ray Milne, Legasea Operations Director said: “Being nominated as Company of the Year is an honour to all of us at Legasea! We are incredibly grateful to the Global Underwater Hub, as well as all our clients and supply chain, for their continued support.

“Ever since day one of starting the business, the backing and recognition that we have received from across the energy sector and beyond, has surpassed all of our expectations!”

Commenting on the announcements, chief executive of the Global Underwater Hub Neil Gordon, said: “The Subsea Expo Awards recognise the people and companies who work hard to ensure that the UK’s world-renowned underwater industry continues to capitalise on the unprecedented scale of opportunity in the global blue economy while continuing to innovate and drive the UK towards its net zero goals.

“We’re delighted to be able to recognise the hard work and dedication of the finalists and share their success stories with the industry at the Subsea Expo Awards dinner in February.”

Relocations

CPI

Tech innovation catalyst CPI has opened its Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Scotland. The firm will work alongside 23 partner organisations from pharma, government, business, and academia as part of the launch.

CPI said that the centre is looking to drive sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

Dave Tudor, Managing Director of Medicines Manufacturing, Biologics and Quality at CPI, said: “The facility we have built here in Renfrewshire is the first example of a consistent and concerted effort from the pharma industry to collaborate. This will be crucial to unlocking the challenges we’ve faced so far to translate research into tangible benefits that will help address unmet health needs.

“Our ‘Grand Challenge’ business model aims to bring key players together to accelerate solutions to some of the core issues we’ve seen across the industry. For example, we want to see a reduction in waste and the industry’s carbon footprint through better, more efficient manufacturing processes. We want to drive strong research in areas like cell and gene therapy, RNA, and monoclonal antibodies, to bring digital solutions, advanced thinking, advanced technology, and advanced supply chain mindsets to help with greater investment and growth in biological manufacture.

“The next phase is about inviting companies into the new Centre so they can benefit from the existing technologies developed as a result of our Grand Challenges.”

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Mangata Networks

Satellite services firm Mangata Networks announced Scotland as the location for its space hub for R&D activities as well as satellite manufacturing, space systems, and core network operations.

Up to 575 new jobs will be created as part of Mangata’s state-of-the-art engineering and operations hub for satellite manufacturing and operations at the Prestwick International Aerospace Park in Ayrshire.

Most of the new jobs will be for highly skilled technical engineering positions in product development, designing and manufacturing satellites, and operating the system end-to-end.

Brian Holz, Chief Executive Officer of Mangata Networks, said: “We will be using this facility to bring our satellite connectivity and intelligent Edge compute solutions to enterprises globally.

“This factory will be a key enabler, allowing us to scale and deliver cost-effective space technology into markets that really need it.”

The hub is supported by an innovative funding and assistance package from public sector partners, totalling over £83.7 million from Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, UK Government and South Ayrshire Council.

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