Johnston Carmichael appoints new head of technology and life sciences
Johnston Carmichael has promoted Calum Purdie in its UK presence. He will serve as the company’s new head of technology and life sciences.
Calum Purdie joined Johnston Carmichael two years ago, and succeeds partner Shaun Millican, who is taking on a new role as head of business advisory. Both will sit on the professional services firm’s board.
Millican, commented, “With almost 90 years behind us, and ambitious plans for growth, it is vital that we develop our next generation of leaders. Calum has made a fantastic contribution to the firm since he joined, and I can’t wait to see how he develops his new role.”
Among the senior figures who sit on the board are video games entrepreneur and former Grand Theft Auto producer Colin Macdonald; early-stage technology company advisor Les Gaw; Alisdair Gunn, a project director of the Glasgow City Innovation District; and Brendan Waters, an experienced finance professional and passionate supporter of tech-growth. Rachel Jones, founder of online brand protection company SnapDragon, and Elizabeth Pirrie, CEO of AccelerateHER, also joined earlier this year.
Purdie brings 10 years’ experience of working with high growth businesses and investors to the board, and his new role leading technology and life sciences with the company. Previously, he worked in the advisory space supporting private equity and venture capital investors across the UK, Europe and US.
He said of his promotion, “Johnston Carmichael’s technology and life sciences practice has enjoyed exciting growth over the past few years. We have built a strong client base in Central Scotland, and we are seeing great businesses emerging across other regions including Inverness, especially in life sciences, and the North-East of Scotland, where there is a key focus on energy tech, as well as the North-East of England and its blue economy.
He will now work alongside a team of business advisory and tax experts, including partner Andrew Macmillan, who is head of innovation taxes, and Stephen Oates, partner and head of entrepreneurial taxes, who advises on the delivery of venture capital schemes and share schemes.
Purdie added, “The UK’s tech and life sciences businesses aren’t just helping our economy to grow by attracting investment and boosting jobs; they are also generating new solutions to some of our most significant and complex challenges as a society, from treating cancer to developing clean energy. I am proud to support the growth journeys of this vital new generation of business leaders.”
