I grew up in Brechin, Angus, but in 2001, when I was 18 years old, I moved to Aberdeen to begin studying accountancy and finance at Aberdeen University.
Almost 11 years on, I continue to enjoy living and working in the city.
After graduating, I accepted a training contract and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2008.
Following qualification, I remained in professional practice, working as an assistant manager within KPMG’s audit department. I audited some well-known companies with bases in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and saw how a variety of businesses flourish in the local region. I moved to work in the oil and gas industry during 2010.
Outside of work, one of my friends introduced me to an organisation called Junior Chamber International (JCI).
JCI is a worldwide organisation of some 200,000 members aged 18-40. It aims to develop the leadership skills of its members while promoting entrepreneurship, social activities and benefit for the local community. It provides the opportunity to try something new, such as project management or public speaking, while developing skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
The organisation develops its own programme of events by reflecting four areas of interest: community, business, international and personal and professional development.
I became an active member of JCI Aberdeen and have been involved in a number of projects including helping to organise JCI Aberdeen’s flagship event, the Grampian Industrialist of the Year award dinner.
This annual award celebrates entrepreneurship and the way we do business in the 21st century. The award has been received by a long line of local business people distinguished as being pre-eminent in their respective fields in the Grampian region.
There is a nomination process and a panel then determines the winner. The quality of nominations astounds us each year and this is testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that is engrained here in the local area. The winner for 2012, Bob Drummond, of Hydrasun, embodies everything that the Grampian Industrialist should be.
I was business and community affairs director in 2011 and during this time we held events for our members such as a visit to an offshore survival training facility and an opportunity to hear from key parties in the Union Terrace Gardens debate.
We also focused our efforts in supporting the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal, which aims to raise £3million to build a centre to support patients diagnosed with cancer and their families.
As the 2012 president of Junior Chamber International Aberdeen, I am a huge advocate for young citizens in Aberdeen and shire.
We are fortunate to host sessions with prominent business people in Aberdeen and are supported by a number of “patrons” – corporations who offer assistance either financially or by providing services in kind. The generosity of these patrons is a true reflection of the people who live in the north-east.
There are so many opportunities for businesses in the local region with its great facilities and a bustling harbour. Aberdeen is one of the most prosperous regions in the UK and is the oil capital of Europe.
Not only are there leading global companies operating in the region, there are a number of local success stories which should encourage new investment. Take Sir Ian Wood’s small ship repair and engineering business which is now a worldwide empire. Anything is possible.
It should also be easy to sell Aberdeen to potential new employees looking to relocate to Aberdeen. The location and facilities allows young professionals, families and retired people to live a great quality of life. The community has a real international feel with people from all over the world relocating here, mainly due to the oil industry, but many come to study at one of the city’s two high-quality universities.
There has been significant investment in the city centre, with Union Square opening a variety of shops and restaurants along with a hotel and links to the adjacent train and bus stations. There are plans to improve the city centre further with the creation of a Business Improvement District.
We are fortunate to have an active and effective chamber of commerce who focus on the needs of local businesses. The chamber offers training and development opportunities which benefit many organisations and the citizens living here.
Travelling away from the north-east is possible with air links from Aberdeen to other UK and European cities and hubs, making onward international travel easy. This is critical for many of our global companies who have bases all over the world.
One of my favourite places to visit is the building where I graduated from university – Marischal College. Marischal College is the second largest granite structure in the world and was part of the University of Aberdeen but is now Aberdeen City Council’s corporate headquarters. It is a beautiful building and has been sympathetically renovated on both the inside and outside.
Following a short drive away from the city centre, you find yourself in stunning countryside. The Cairngorms offer a variety of activities – walking, snow sports in the winter or simply taking in the spectacular scenery.
The Grampian region is an area where businesses and people flourish, both due to the investment by external companies, but also due to the spirit which is inherent within individuals who choose to live and work here.
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