I studied for a degree in geography, but university wasn’t right for me, so I went to work for my dad as a joiner for a year. When a job came up at an accountancy firm, it sounded like it could be a career. I trained and qualified at that practice. It wasn’t the conventional route into the profession at that time, although it’s very similar to the Azets school/college leaver route on offer today.
I recently joined Azets as accounts and business advisory services director. I take care of a broad range of clients of different sizes and in different sectors and enjoy working with them on their long-term growth ambitions. I’m definitely a big-picture person, so when I meet a client, it’s about where they want to go, and then working with them to make plans to get them there. Strategising for the future while streamlining processes and implementing technology is key in the client relationship.
The level of private equity investment and consolidation in Scottish firms is striking
The advent of AI is both scary and exciting at the same time. There’s so much that you can do with artificial intelligence, but there are challenges with what people might use it for, so you need controls and protocols in place. It is important not to rely wholly on AI but to take advantage of the capabilities it can bring.
The level of private equity investment and consolidation in the Scottish accountancy profession in recent times has been striking. Succession considerations, growth plans, and access to investment and expertise are just some of the reasons the profession considers these routes, and this creates many opportunities for PE investors. It will be interesting to see what the future brings and how the practice landscape changes over the next few years.
Networking is important. I’m a director of the Chamber of Commerce in Dundee and Angus, and it’s an excellent network in the area. The board is made up of people from a broad range of businesses, so you have all the different expertise in the same room, and our work is about the community. For example, we recently responded to a government consultation on the future of Dundee airport to which I brought my specific skills as an accountant. It is the area’s only airport and, although flights go only to London, it’s an important connection.
It may be a Scottish and accountancy cliché but in my spare time I enjoy golfing. I also spend a lot of time at skating rinks, as my daughter does figure-skating three times a week. I like it because it’s a bit different – we’ve tried dancing and gymnastics, but skating is what she has landed on.
