A long-established Aberdeen marketing firm is under new ownership.
Alan Mearns has handed the reins of his family business, Mearns & Gill, to Michael Wilson after he bought the firm for an undisclosed sum.
The move comes as the firm celebrates its 80th year in business after Mr Mearns,55, took over the firm from his father nearly 40 years ago.
Mr Wilson, who joined the firm as managing director in February, is part of the clan that sold north-east plumbing and heating supply firm William Wilson to Wolseley in an £81million deal in 2005. As commercial director of 105-year-old business when it was sold to the FTSE-100 company, Mr Wilson,47, oversaw its marketing activity.
Mr Mearns, who along with his wife Tania will continue to support the business in a consultancy role, said: “After my near-40 years in the industry, it felt like the perfect time to pass the family business on to a new custodian. With his integrity and passion for delivering a quality service, I am delighted to be handing over to Michael who shares the values we have always believed in over the decades.”
Mr Wilson said: “I’m very excited to be taking the helm of such an established and well-respected business. I have always been impressed with the team, their creativity and commitment, and their dedication to providing clients with the highest standards of service. I look forward very much, with the support of the committed team, to evolving the company in the years ahead and to building on the reputation that generations of the Mearns family have worked so hard to establish and sustain.”
Suzanne Robertson, operations director, who has been part of the Mearns & Gill team for the past 10 years, said: “I’m delighted Michael has joined at such an important milestone. Longevity is a key trait at Mearns & Gill, with a number of clients remaining with the agency for over 30 years. An established customer base combined with recently won contracts and new business opportunities, gives the management team additional confidence in future success.”
Established in 1936, Mearns & Gill provides creative marketing solutions across a wide range of disciplines, including brand, digital, print and event management, with a turnover of more than £1.25million in the year to February 2016.