A PROFESSIONAL services firm is aiming to bolster its growth strategy across Scotland with the appointment of a new non-executive director.
Aberdeen headquartered Hutcheon Mearns has appointed Dougal Bennett who has experience in private equity to the role, as the firm aims to expand both geographically and through service offerings.
Bennett has previous experience supporting companies in ambitions to deliver their growth plans during a 35-year career within the banking and UK private equity industries.
He began in the investment area with Hill Samuel Bank then spent time in the leverage buyout markets with Bank of Scotland and Société Générale.
For the past 25 years he has been sourcing, making and exiting private equity investments as a senior partner with Dunedin LLP across a range of industries and locations.
Bennett said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Hutcheon Mearns team and to have the opportunity to help the firm pursue its development ambitions.
“I’ve known the business for some time and worked successfully with its people in the past.
“I look forward to applying my knowledge and experience to help it continue on its upward trajectory.
“I’ve been impressed by the breadth and depth of the Hutcheon Mearns service offering, and its exceptional growth over recent years signals that many clients think likewise.”
Bennet joins Peter Stuart and Rick Clark as non-executive directors at a time when Hutcheon Mearns is seeking to extend its service reach across Scotland.
Beyond its Granite City headquarters, the firm has an office in Dundee, has opened a further office in Edinburgh in late 2023 and is now trying to build a presence in Glasgow.
The firm was founded in 2015 to provide recruitment and consultancy services to the finance sector, and now has a staff of around 70.
Craig Hutcheon, co-founder and managing director, said: “We’ve enjoyed significant success with our distinctive, full-suite service offering and Dougal’s appointment will help to ensure we maintain the momentum.
“We’re excited to welcome Dougal on board. The knowledge and expertise he has built over more than three decades will prove invaluable as we explore new ways to add value for our clients and extend our market reach.”
Adam Maitland, managing director who leads Hutcheon Mearns’ corporate finance and strategic advisory offering, said: “Dougal brings several specialist attributes to his role with us.
“[He has] huge experience in private equity, an in-depth knowledge of multiple sectors and an impressive track record of contributions as a board member with many organisations.
“Dougal will not only support us in the implementation of our own growth plans, [but] he will also provide genuine, real-world insight to our clients as they do the same.”
