Recruitment

Airts

Edinburgh AI software startup, Airts, has announced a trio of new hires as the firm looks to meet growing global demand. Strong international demand for the firm’s planning optimisation software, Braid, has seen the company enjoy year-on-year revenue growth of more than 300%.

The hires include Airts’ first VP of engineering, Simon Cromarty. Previously, Cromarty served as VP of engineering at fashion technology company Metai.

Cromarty commands a wealth of experience, having spent more than 20 years in senior leadership roles at a host of companies, including Oracle, Worldpay and GE. Ludmila Walker joins him at the startup as front end designer along with Adrian Dragus, who joins as senior software engineer.

It is hoped that the new trio will enable the firm to keep up with this growing demand.

Andrew Bone, Airts co-founder and CEO, commented: “We’re excited that demand for Braid means we need to continue to scale, but we’re also determined to grow sustainably, strengthening the team culture we’ve built.

“Simon, Ludmila and Adrian all met the high hiring bar we set ourselves, and we look forward to benefiting from their expertise in these exciting times for Airts.”

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Entrepreneurial Scotland

Entrepreneurial Scotland (ES) has strengthened its management team with the appointment of two new directors to its senior management team.

Sara Cook has been promoted to the new position of director of talent programmes, while Sean McGrath takes up the role of ES’ new finance director.

Cook began her career as programme assistant for the Saltire Scholar Programme in 2013 and rapidly progressed through the organisation to take up the positions of programme executive then head of programmes. Six years on, Cook has a director’s role with overall responsibility of the Saltire Scholar Programmes, Talent Matching and Alumni Engagement.

Speaking on the appointment, Cook said: “It’s a fantastic honour to be the first Entrepreneurial Scotland employee to fully rise through the ranks, and now in my role as Director of Talent Programmes.

“I’m more excited than ever for some of the projects on our horizon. It’s widely recognised that finding, retaining and valuing talent is a challenge for most businesses in Scotland and Entrepreneurial Scotland is uniquely placed to support businesses with this.”

McGrath is described as a multi-disciplined senior finance professional who has a wealth of experience in both a practise and commercial setting. Prior to joining ES, he held financial management roles within organisations such as Deloitte and London & Scottish Investments.

Commenting on the hires, ES chief executive Sandy Kennedy said: “It’s an exciting time for ES with two incredibly talented people in Sara and Sean joining our management team. Sean’s financial experience will be invaluable, and he will help us plan ahead for the future.

“Sara’s appointment is a proud moment for everyone involved with ES. Sara is part of the next generation of leaders in Scotland, which was clear to see when she returned to her role following the Saltire Fellowship, and I am confident she will continue to be an invaluable member of the team.”

Consenna

Former Apple executive Trevor Evans has joined sales and marketing consultancy, Consenna, as managing director. Evans joins the Edinburgh firm following an extensive career in which he has served at a number of top technology companies, including HP.

As part of the move, former managing director and founder, Douglas Jeffrey, will take up the position of chairman. The company sought to hire Evans due to his extensive expertise in change management, understanding of emerging opportunities and innovation-led growth.

Commenting on the move, Jeffrey said: “I worked closely with Trevor whilst at HP and have witnessed his enviable skill set and dynamic leadership first-hand.

“His ability to consistently deliver impressive results, coupled with his consummate understanding of the customers we’re seeking to work with, will serve Consenna well as we look for step-change growth in the coming years.”

Evans added: “Having built my career leading businesses for some of the world’s most-respected technology companies, I have first-hand experience of the pressures and business dynamics that customers we’re seeking to work with confront on a daily basis.

“In an increasingly competitive market, both goals and resources are stretched further and further. I’ve walked in those shoes, know the market, the key players within it, and this equips me to demonstrate how Consenna can help amplify and maximise their sales and marketing strategies.”

Lothian Broadband

Lothian Broadband has welcomed Jennifer Nicoll to the company, who will assume the role of financial director. Nicoll joins Lothian Broadband to support the firm during a period of rapid growth.

Nicoll brings with her a wealth of strategic and operational experience from both the public and private sector. With a background as a chartered accountant, she has supported businesses of all sizes across a range of sectors to achieve their growth ambitions in a variety of challenging environments.

The move also coincides with the company’s relocation to a new office space in Haddington.

Nic McCormick, managing director at Lothian Broadband, commented: “The Tech Shed at the Humbie Hub has been a happy home for us and we will be very sad to leave – the local support we have received has been incredible.

“We are delighted to welcome Jennifer to the team and she joins us at an exciting time in our evolution. Bringing somebody with Jennifer’s expertise into the team is a real boost for us all as we move into the next stages of our business. ”

Willo

Recruitment technology startup Willo has announced the formation of its board of directors, with Dr Steve Perry, chief digital officer at Visa Europe, taking the role of chairman.

He is joined by Peter Preston, managing director at Search Consultancy and PSD Group CEO Stefan Ciecierski – with the latter two accepting positions at non-executive directors.

Perry brings with him more than 25 years in leadership roles at Visa Europe, including head of strategy, chief financial officer, chief commercial officer and chief digital officer. He also commands a wealth of experience investing in – and advising – fintech and data analytics startups.

Commenting on his appointment as chairman, Perry said: “The recruitment process is changing rapidly as businesses increasingly focus on competence rather than experience, and there is a growing interest in being able to see and hear candidates early in the hiring cycle in order to assess their softer skills.

“We’re confident that the Willo platform will meet this demand and succeed in making video screening and interviewing part of the standard recruitment process.”

As managing director for one of the largest recruitment agencies in the UK, Preston offers more than 17 years’ experience in recruitment, technology and software consultancy while Ciecierski boasts more than 30 years in leadership roles across the global recruitment industry.

Euan Cameron, CEO of Willo, said: “The appointment of the board enhances and complements the business and speaks volumes about its potential. In addition to acting as mentors to Willo’s management team, the directors will provide support in securing investment and delivering on our growth objectives, so that Willo becomes an instrumental platform for the recruitment industry.”

Workflo Solutions

Livingston-based managed services provider, Workflo Solutions, is extending its national reach with the opening of new offices in Aberdeen.

The new offices, located at Waterloo Quay Aberdeen Harbour, have been announced amid an exciting period for the company, which has seen a continuous surge in demand across the northeast of Scotland for its managed services technologies.

Jim McKay has been brought on board by the firm to oversee the opening of the new office space and development of the northeast business. McKay has spent almost 30 years working across the managed print supply, with local businesses he helped transform being sold to companies such as Xerox and HP.

Workflo managing director Michael Field said: “The decision to expand our presence into Aberdeen was a logical progression in our business growth strategy.

“We see great opportunities across Aberdeen and the northeast. It remains a very dynamic region. We are very fortunate to have appointed one of the doyens of the managed print services industry, Jim McKay, to oversee the development of our Aberdeen business.

“To bring in someone of his calibre and exceptional background is tremendously exciting for our future growth aspirations.”

Awards

Float

Edinburgh-based fintech Float has been recognised at the Accounting Excellence Awards for the best forecasting, planning and analysis software.

The cash flow forecasting software company, housed at Edinburgh’s Codebase incubator, helps SMEs to manage, budget and forecast their cash using Xero, Quickbooks Online or FreeAgent.

Presented by Accounting Web UK, the AE Programme recognises and rewards brilliance in the accounting professions and is acknowledged as one of the highest accolades in the accounting industry.

Speaking of the award win, Float CEO Colin Hewitt said: “From day one, it was Float’s objective to finally solve the problem of cash flow forecasting for businesses, and it’s great to receive industry recognition for having done so.

“The Accounting Excellence Awards are the biggest in the accounting calendar and it’s an honour to be shortlisted for any award with great competition, let alone win. Win we did, and this is probably the best year to win in this category, with cash flow gaining such momentum.

“We’re seeing unprecedented demand for cash flow forecasting, and it’s fast becoming a must-have service for accountants to provide for their clients.

“Cash flow is often the number one issue keeping business owners awake at night, so it makes sense that they’re seeking help from their accountants to understand if, when and how they might be heading into the red, or how investing in the business will play out.”

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Scottish Financial Technology Awards

The winners of DIGIT’s inaugural Scottish Financial Technology Awards have been announced, with Money Dashboard and Soar both scooping up two awards each on the night.

Edinburgh-based firm Money Dashboard took the top prizes in the Fintech of Year and Best Fintech Collaboration categories, while Glasgow-based startup Soar was awarded the top prize in the Rising Star: Best New Entrant and Social Impact categories.

Josie Ellis, head of growth at Money Dashboard, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted and surprised to win these awards. We’ve got an amazing team and it’s fantastic to be part of the Scottish fintech community, which is obviously part of making this happen.

“We’re genuinely excited to push the boundaries of fintech in the UK and abroad.”

The awards ceremony also saw Stephen Ingledew, CEO of FinTech Scotland, win the Evangelist of the Year award, while LendingCrowd founder and CEO, Stuart Lunn, was recognised as Scotland’s Fintech Leader of the Year.

In the Special Recognition category, Louise Smith took home the accolades for her tireless work in championing the Scottish fintech community at home, throughout the UK and further afield.

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