New head of food & drink at AAB

Anderson Anderson Brown has announced the appointment of Derek Mair as head of food & drink.

AAB said Mr Mair, who is a partner at the firm, “brings together AAB’s extensive experience working with a diversity of businesses across the Food & Drink sector as well as in the associated rural markets with a focus on increasing market share in this exciting growth sector”.

With increasing numbers of new start-up Food & Drink businesses specialising in artisan and craft produce, AAB says it has experienced increased demand in services ranging from business planning, financial modelling, fundraising and mergers & acquisitions to payroll, audit & accounting, tax and international advice.

AAB managing partner, Graeme Allan, said: “We have experienced strong growth in this sector in the last 2 years by winning a number of new clients and supporting our existing clients achieve their growth ambitions. With Derek’s appointment, we are confident that our success and reputation in this sector will continue to grow. His focus and expertise will be invaluable as we strive to become the go-to firm for Scottish Food & Drink businesses.”

Mr Mair added: “Scotland’s target to more than double the turnover in the Food & Drink sector to £30bn by 2030 reflects the scale of the growth opportunity as well as the importance of this market to our economy. It is helping to drive the creation of new exciting Scottish businesses that quickly gain international interest and credibility due to widespread recognition of origin and quality. Our comprehensive knowledge of and passion for the Food & Drink sector, combined with the extensive range of services we can provide, means that we can genuinely add value to businesses as they establish and face growth challenges in the market.”