Business Briefs - June 23

Perth-based energy giant SSE contributes around £1.47 billion to the Scottish economy anually, according to new research carried out by global accountancy firm PwC.

The study estimated the supply chain of the business contributed £359m of the overall figure and supported in the region of 17,730 jobs across the country in its most recent financial year.

The research stated that it directly employed more than 6,400 people in Scotland, whose spending, along with those working in SSE’s supply chain, contributed around £178m to Scottish GDP.

Across the UK SSE was said to have contributed £8.8bn to the economy and supported 106,000 jobs.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said the business was committed to spending between £1.5bn and £1.7bn in the coming years.

Former Cairn Energy pair raise £316m for new Indian venture

Two former directors of Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy have raised backing of up to £316million to start a new oil company in India.

Mike Watts and former Cairn managing director Jann Brown have joined forces to launch a new India-focused upstream oil and gas company, Magna Energy.

Investment giant Carlyle Group said it had made an initial commitment of £158million, and would invest a further £158million, depending on projects brought by the company, and pprovals by Carlyle’s investment committee.

Tennent’s boss moves on after just 15 months

Tennent Caledonian Breweries has announced the surprise departure of boss Brian Calder.

The news comes only 15 months after he took charge of Scotland’s most famous and biggest selling lager brand.

Mr Calder took the top job at TCB in March 2014, joining from Wallaces Express after Tennent’s owner C&C Group completed its acquisition of the Irvine-based drinks wholesaler.

He has now been replaced by Alastair Campbell, a former group company director and global brand director at Contiki Holidays, the youth travel company.

New boss for north east HSSEQ firm

North- east businesswoman Tracie Watson has joined Foveran-based health, safety, security, environment and quality (HSSEQ) firm QuEnSH Specialists as its first managing director.

Ms Watson was previously MD at international health and safety consultant Cresent, of Westhill, where she oversaw the growth of the business over a period of 25 years.