PR agency Big Partnership has landed a top lawyer to as a non-executive chairman.
Malcolm McPherson is a senior partner at law firm HBJ Gateley and is a former chairman of Hibernian Football Club.
Zoe Ogilvie, director Aberdeen-based Big, said: “Malcolm is one of the country’s most experienced and widely respected business figures, and someone we’ve known for many years.
“His track record is impeccable, both at the helm of HBJ Gateley and in non-executive roles with an impressive string of successful high-growth businesses. He’ll bring a valuable and wise perspective to the existing board.
“Not only will Malcolm add strong corporate governance to our board, his experience in establishing HBJ Gateley as a major force across the UK and internationally also mirrors our own ambitions.”
Mr McPherson said: “I have watched Big grow from small beginnings to its current position as one of the UK’s largest independent agencies.
“It’s a business I have long admired, with a strong and talented team. Given the obvious determination to continue that growth, it’s an exciting time to come on board and I’m greatly looking forward to playing a role in helping the agency achieve its ambitions.”
Meanwhile, Whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail has recruited an international sales director as demand continues to grow for their products across the globe.
David King, formerly president of San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling, has joined the company after more than 20 years in the drinks business.
Mr King, who also spent 11 years at the UK’s Berry Bros & Rudd, will help the Elgin-based firm build whisky sales globally, with a focus on its Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The family-owned company revived the distillery and re-opened it in 1998. Over the last twelve months alone sales grew 36%.
Ewen Mackintosh, chief operating officer at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We’ve increased the size of the production team and trebled our distilling capacity, recruited new colleagues in international sales, built new warehouses and created a suite of tasting rooms at the distillery and this is already paying off in our ongoing growth.
“The appointment of an international sales director is the next step on this journey. David has the perfect credentials for the task, combining extensive knowledge of Scotch whisky with experience of working in some of our key markets, including the USA. We’re delighted to have him on board.”