Johnston Carmichael, Scotland’s leading independent business advisory and accountancy firm, has reshaped and strengthened its sector focus to help clients take advantage of the market opportunities arising from the emerging economic recovery.

These changes include appointing a number of new sector heads as well as combining and rebranding some of the existing sector specialist teams

Among the key changes is the formation of a new Energy, Infrastructure and Sustainability (EIS) team, which will be led by Mark Stewart, to spearhead the firm’s support for companies seeking to take advantage of the fast-moving transition to a low-carbon economy. The EIS leadership team will also include Graham Alexander and Alan Dick, whose deep knowledge of the oil and gas industry will enable the firm to offer advice across all aspects of the energy transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

The countryside remains an equally fast-moving landscape, especially post Brexit, and the firm has combined its agriculture and landed estates sector specialists into a rebranded Rural team under the leadership of Jenn Stewart, who as head of the firm’s Dundee office works with a wide range of agribusinesses. The Rural team will also benefit from the considerable experience of tax specialist Alex Docherty and agricultural specialists, Robin Dandie and Jane Mitchell.

Sandy Manson, Chair and Head of Client Service at Johnston Carmichael, said: “We have always demonstrated real strength and depth in our knowledge of the key industries which underpin and drive our economy. However, as the economy and the market changes then so must we and our reshaped sector approach means that we will be able to bring an ever more focused and insightful approach in how we deploy our considerable sector expertise to benefit our clients in building successful and sustainable businesses.”

In other changes, the firm’s fishing specialists will become part of the food and drink team which is led by Adam Hardie together with Stewart Pennington. An enhanced construction and property team will be led by Allison Dalton, while Rosalind Catto will be at the helm of the hospitality sector team. Not-for-profit will be headed up by Keith Macpherson, together with Scott Jeffrey and Professional Services by Sandy Manson. Shaun Millican continues as Head of Technology, supported by Andrew Holloway, who has extensive experience of innovation taxes.