Johnston Carmichael launches new Tech Advisory board

Accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has launched a new Tech Advisory Board including some of Scotland’s most senior figures in the sector, to help its clients access “expert advice” on achieving growth.

The group, which includes seven external advisers, incorporates seasoned entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors to advise on all aspects of the growth journey.

It will provide Johnston Carmichael’s existing in-house team with guidance and support on strategy and delivery, and, where appropriate, will directly connect group members with clients and contacts of the firm. A key ambition of the panel is encouraging homegrown businesses to expand internationally.

The firm revealed that among the “high-profile recruits” to the group is Polly Purvis OBE, former director of agri-tech business Intelligent Growth Solutions and former CEO of ScotlandIS. 

She is an active board member with roles including director of Edinburgh Science Festival and board member of Converge Challenge, which works with universities to support spin-outs.

Also enlisted is Giles Hamilton, CEO of Inverness-based life sciences business ODx Innovations, who has served as board member to more than 50 global organisations and held ministerial appointments in the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as Alisdair Gunn.

Gunn, who heads up Framewire, Scotland’s leading advisory practice for tech and digital start-ups, was a founder of the Turing Festival, Europe’s top cross-functional tech conference and is currently leading the development and growth of Glasgow’s tech and digital sector as part of the Glasgow City Innovation District.

Others in the group include:

• Hazel McIntyre, a consultant financial director and adviser with a background in fund raising, acquisition and disposals, whose previous roles include chief financial officer at Current Health and Lomond Capital.

• Grant Smith, board member at The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, and consultant to third sector organisation ONE Digital and Entrepreneurship.

• Les Gaw, a non-executive director and early stage adviser, who is also chairman of security business Pick Protection, and CEO of financial software firm Contigens.

• Brendan Waters, corporate finance advisor to tech businesses including Fan Duel, Dog Digital, Wilson Imports and Sharktower. He is also founder of Cruachan Advisory.  

The external experts are joined by Shaun Millican, partner and head of Technology and Life Sciences at Johnston Carmichael, and Andrew Holloway, Corporate Tax director and the head of the firm’s Entrepreneurial Taxes Team.

Millican said: “We’re extremely proud to introduce our first Tech Advisory Board, whose deep knowledge and experience will significantly enhance our in-house expertise and help growing business access the specialist advice they need.”