Leah and Thanassi Athanassopoulos

Alpha Clinic is owned by Leah and Thanassi Athanassopoulos. The couple invested a six-figure sum earlier this year to launch the first privately owned plastic surgery clinic north of the central belt on the city’s Albyn Terrace, offering an array of cosmetic surgery services supported with premium evidence-based technology to deliver the safest procedures currently available on the aesthetic market.

The acquisition will see all five staff from Innocent Aesthetics Ltd move across to Alpha Clinic in September, including owner, Jan Leiper-Whiteford, expanding the clinic’s non-surgical treatments. The move increases Alpha’s staff numbers to 10.

Leah Athanassopoulos said: “We had planned to expand non-surgical aesthetics within the business in the over the next 12-months but the opportunity arose and following just a few months of discussions we reached an agreement.  Jan has built up a large, successful business with loyal clients and a well-trained team, so we are delighted to welcome them on board, strengthen Alpha Clinic and offer our patients the ultimate surgical and non-surgical journey.”

Mr Athanassopoulos added: “Despite being closed during the global pandemic, we were able to do virtual consultations enabling us to retain a steady flow of clients prepared for their final consultation when lockdown was lifted. It has been a busy few months for us since re-opening and we have been inundated with bookings since the restrictions were lifted. 

“I have had to focus purely on surgical aesthetics, and it was becoming clear that many of my patients were looking for additional non-surgical treatment so bringing in a team of experts allows us to provide everything our patients need under one roof.”

Independent nurse prescriber, Mrs Leiper-Whiteford, launched Innocent Aesthetics Ltd in 2005 following a career in Adult Nursing, qualifying from Robert Gordons University in 2002 where she worked in cardiothoracic and coronary care within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and subsequently starting her aesthetic training in aesthetics in Oxford.

She said: “I grew the business over the past 15 years to 8,500 clients but it had reached a stage where I had to branch out to expand the services, so it was a natural progression to find a complementary business to join forces with. Thanassi and Leah understand my clinic ethos, the importance of client safety and delivering patient focused care and supporting patients through their surgical/aesthetic journey. It was immediately evident that we are on the same wavelength and focussed on the client, achieving age focused results and putting the patient first. Most importantly, I trust Thanassi as an expert in his field and know that he will look after my clients.

“The timing of the deal has been perfect, and we are looking forward to moving our staff and business across to Alpha Clinic in late September. Experienced nurses working alongside a respected surgeon gives patients reassurance that we have a full medical team in-house that is controlled and governed by Health Improvement Scotland. As well as adhering to our governing bodies The General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.”

Innocent Aesthetics will close its premises in the city’s Great Western Road and relocate its staff and equipment to Albyn Terrace on 28 September to operate under the Alpha Clinic brand. All pre-booked appointments will be automatically transferred to Albyn Terrace.

Alpha Clinic offers surgical cosmetic procedures and hair transplantation, in addition to traditional plastic and reconstructive surgery including procedures for skin cancer, nose and breast reconstruction, burn injuries and scarring.