Senior Appointments at Apex Hotels

Apex Hotels has appointed Mike Watson as the new group finance director while Holly Hewett becomes group director of marketing, 

Watson was previously at publisher, DC Thomson, initially as chief financial officer and latterly as chief executive. 

Hewett also has more than 15 years’ experience, working at Walgreens Boots Alliance and Mitchells and Butlers.

Apex Hotels is a family-owned four-star hotel group with locations in London, Bath, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee.

It was founded by Scottish entrepreneur Norman Springford when he opened the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh in 1996

US Expansion for Novosound heathcare operation

Glasgow-headquartered Novosound expects to double its revenue and add several staff after entering a collaboration agreement with American cardiovascular surgeon Todd Rosengart, vice president and chair of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, based within the Texas Medical Centre in Houston - the world’s largest medical centre.

Dave Hughes is Novosound chief executive and co-founder.

US Growth for Aberdeen’s STC Insiso

Aberdeen based STC Insiso has won a new US contract from Pilot Water Solutions taking US income to £1.4 million.

The Aberdeen firm already works with Cummins, McDermott and Western Midstream in the US.

The firm recently took investment £2million from BFG.

Deloitte’s 2023 UK Technology Fast 50 awards features four Scottish businesses

Four Scottish companies feature in the 2023 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 including Glasgow based Utopi claiming the inaugural CleanTech award.  

The awards recognise and rank the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK based on average revenue growth over a four-year period.

Glasgow-based software company, The Original Fit Factory, placed 5th in the ranking, making it the fastest-growing technology company in Scotland this year. 

Glasgow-based Utopi Ltd, an ESG technology platform for multi-tenant real estate, claimed 20th place, while Edinburgh-based software development company, Amiqus Resolution Limited, ranked in 35th place. 

Aberdeen technology solutions company, Deep Casing Tools Ltd, placed 37th in the ranking.

OEG Energy Group to acquire Bluestream Offshore

OEG Energy Group Limited has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire Netherlands-based Bluestream Offshore B.V for an undisclosed consideration. Bluestream has a turnover in excess of €55 million

Management buyout at AquaTerra Group

Aberdeenshire-based AquaTerra Group Managing Director, Stephen Taylor has led a seven-figure management buyout.

Mr Taylor has acquired the majority share of the company, while Commercial Director Nigel Whitton, and Marine Services Director Frank Hall, have become minority shareholders.

Peter Robinson, previously the majority shareholder, continues in his role as Chairman under the new ownership.

VC funding in Scotland bounces back

According to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse report, 28 deals worth a combined £202m took place during the Q3 2023.

The first three quarters of this year saw £335m worth of deals.

The largest deals in the bunch were alternative meat start-up ENOUGH, which raised €40m in equity and Glasgow-based Chemify which secured £36m of Series A funding.

Luxury Irish hotel chain to invest £9m with Glasgow opening

Glasgow City Centre is to get a new luxury 95-bed hotel as the Irish ‘The Address Collective’ brand announces a £9m investment in the former Lancashire Insurance Company on Renfield Street.

Set to open in 2024, it is believed the development by Brian and Ciara McGettigan, will create 80 new jobs.

Two more acquisitions for Lomond Group

Lettings and estate agency group, Lomond, has added Garden Stirling Burnet in North Berwick and Eve Brown Property Services in St Andrews to the 50 acquisitions it has made since 2021.

Both lettings businesses will become part of the DJ Alexander brand.

Hutcheon Mearns expands into Edinburgh

Professional services advisory firm Hutcheon Mearns has opened an Edinburgh office and made three senior appointments.

Angela McCann has been appointed Head of Growth.

Lianne Ross joins as Head of Corporate Finance.

Jack Ramage - Head of Resourcing.

O2 Arena owner plans new 8,500 arena in Edinburgh

The owner of The O2, AEG Europe is seeking planning permission for an 8,500 capacity arena in Edinburgh Park.

If approved, work is expected to begin in early 2025, with the first live events taking place in 2027.

Princes Street site may become luxury hotel

A corner site joining Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Hanover Street may be redeveloped into a 60 room luxury hotel by RRH Hanover A Limited.

Aberdeen IT firm boosts turnover to £4.6m

Aberdeen-based IT Managed Service Provider ITWORX UK has increased turnover by 40% from last year to £4.6m.

10 new managed service contracts worth £400k over three years and 8 new projects worth £700k contributed to the turnover increase.

New Aberdeen office for Enteq Technologies

Energy services technology supplier, Enteq Technologies has opened a new office in Aberdeen building on its existing presence in Cheltenham and Houston.

The Queen’s Gardens office will be led by new CFO Mark Ritchie.

£27,500 funding awarded to Strathclyde entrepreneurs

Four companies have received funding from a Strathclyde University funding competition.

MyEmploy was awarded £10,000.

4SB Mobility was awarded £7,500.

Gifted Kind was awarded £5,000.

Carestax was awarded £5,000.

Thats it!

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