Event

Derek Hanlan

Associate Tax Director, Martin Aitken & Co Ltd.

“With nearly 25 years of experience gained from working in prominent Big 4 accountancy firms and as the previous Director of Taxation at Craig Corporate, Derek is highly qualified, being CIOT certified.

He specialises in providing tax compliance and transactional-related tax advice to SMEs and owner-managed businesses across diverse industries and market sectors.

Derek is frequently sought after for his expertise in advising on succession matters in family-run businesses and supporting business start-ups, including EIS and SEIS companies. Notably, he is a member of the Scottish Technical Sub-Committee of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.”

You can also find the info above here.

Zoe Graham, Head of Financial Risk Solutions, Virgin Money

Zoe leads the Financial Risk Solutions team at Virgin Money, supporting business customers who have exposures to financial and international markets with risk management products and solutions.  She took up this role in 2020 and has worked in several roles within the division since 2003 when she joined the Bank as a graduate after studying Law & Economics (LLB) and an International Master of Law (LLM) at the University of Edinburgh.

Grant Johnston

Partner and Head of Wealth Planning, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

Grant Johnston is an experienced private client solicitor, and is also qualified as a financial planner.   This dual qualification allows him to provide individuals, families and business owners with properly joined-up and appropriate advice taking full account of their personal circumstances.   He helps to plan both legal and financial affairs to meet clients’ objectives and goals in the short and longer term.

Grant is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).  He advises on tax, wills, trusts and estate planning as well as overall wealth planning, including investments, pensions, and protection.  He works with clients to develop and implement a bespoke long term plan, and then to review progress and help them stay on track to meeting their objectives.

João Sousa

Deputy Director, University of Strathclyde, Fraser of Allander Institute 

João Sousa is Deputy Director and Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. João’s work at the institute is primarily focussed on fiscal and macroeconomics issues, including leading the authoring of the FAI’s annual Budget Report.

João is an experienced economist and has previously held roles at the Office for Budget Responsibility and HM Revenue and Customs, as well as having private sector consulting experience. João holds a PhD in Economics from Birkbeck, University of London, and his work focussed on historical fiscal policy in the UK from the 1870s to the present.”

Dr. Antoinette Fionda-Douglas

Co-Founder, Designer, and MD of Sustainable Fashion Brand Beira

Dr. Antoinette Fionda-Douglas is the Co-Founder, Designer, and MD of the sustainable fashion brand Beira and an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University. A recognised thought leader in fashion sustainability, she is a columnist for The Herald HQ and a UN-accredited sustainability expert. With a PhD in luxury brand management, she has contributed to global initiatives on traceability and transparency in the textile industry, exhibited at COP26, and advises on responsible business practices within the fashion sector.