Leading accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its Corporate Finance Team with an appointment at director level and the promotion of a new head of corporate finance.

Alan Hamilton, a chartered accountant, with 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and banking, joins Johnston Carmichael as part of its ongoing strategy for continued growth across Scotland. A strategic hire, he will have a Scotland-wide remit providing advice and support to businesses across the country.

Prior to joining Johnston Carmichael, Alan established and led Deloitte’s regional debt advisory service in Scotland; preceding this he worked at Clydesdale Bank from 2005, where he led the Bank’s Acquisition Finance team in Scotland before becoming head of corporate banking for the East of Scotland. He has also held director level positions with Bank of Scotland and Bank of Ireland.

Alan’s wider work has involved advising across the banking sector - primarily corporate and leveraged finance teams - providing debt facilities to support M&A and securing access to finance.

Alan Hamilton, Corporate Finance Director, Johnston Carmichael, said: “I’ve been really impressed with the way that Johnston Carmichael has established itself as a leading firm in the corporate finance market throughout Scotland.

The firm’s corporate finance team - arguably now one of the largest and strongest teams of practitioners in the country with the widest geographical coverage - has been further bolstered by the naming of Graham Alexander as the new team head. Graham takes over the reins from Andrew Ewing, who has very successfully led the team since 2011.

A corporate finance partner in the firm’s Aberdeen office, Graham joined Johnston Carmichael in 2012 following the firm’s merger with Ritson Smith, and brings a wealth of experience in the oil and gas sector to the role, as well as a strong track-record of advising owner-managed businesses across a range of transactions.

Graham will head up Johnston Carmichael’s 20-person strong corporate finance team as it continues to go from strength-to-strength in providing finance solutions across Scotland.

Sandy Manson, Chief Executive at Johnston Carmichael, said:

“Graham has made a valuable contribution to the firm’s corporate finance practice over the years and his drive and ambition make him an excellent candidate to lead our corporate finance team in the next stage of their development. These appointments will, I believe, only enhance our existing strong capability and market reputation and gives me great confidence in the further development and growth of Johnston Carmichael’s corporate finance offering.