Deloitte grows private markets offering with new partner

A new wave of entrepreneurial success stories is reinventing the Scottish economy, according to David Mitchell, a newly-appointed partner in Deloitte’s Private Markets business.

Mr Michell, who joined Deloitte at the beginning of September, said that while Scotland has traditionally been associated with financial services and oil and gas, the success of companies such as Fanduel, Skyscanner, M Squared Lasers, and Taragenyx was changing the country’s image.

He said: “Scotland has been changing and, with that, a new conversation has been struck up about what we should be famous for. There is real momentum in the market and increasingly, as well as oil & gas and financial services, our economy is being identified with world-renowned retailers, food and drink of the highest quality, innovative technology firms, and life sciences companies that are defining the future of health.

“These businesses are doing extraordinary things and, in a break with the past, they are thinking globally from the get-go. As they continue to grow and realise success, the make-up of the Scottish business landscape is changing with them – privately-held, private equity and private equity-backed organisations, as well as family-owned companies, have seldom played such an important role in our economy.”

Mr Michell has joined Deloitte’s fast-growing private markets practice with a specific remit to further grow engagement amongst some of Scotland’s most dynamic businesses.

He was previously a director with EY, where he worked with some of Scotland’s best-known private businesses and latterly led the firm’s Entrepreneur of the Year activity.

A passionate hockey player, Mr Michell spent a year in Australia after university, on an eight-month hockey programme before competing in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He has a combined 100 caps for Scotland and Team GB and believes his experience of competitive sport taught him many positive traits which he continues to apply in his day-to-day role.

He said: “This is a really interesting time to join Deloitte, with the firm increasing its investment in, and focus on, its Private Markets offering. Deloitte’s drive to make an impact that matters on its clients, as well as its people and society, really resonated with me. We also have a very extensive and experienced partner team in Scotland, who work closely when advising our clients. It’s this collaborative approach which I think sets us apart as a business adviser.

“With a number of support structures for entrepreneurs, such as universities and industry bodies, moving into alignment across the country, we aim to be another key institution on which they can rely. Working in Private Markets for the past 12 years has given me a great depth of knowledge in advising companies in a broad range of ways, and I look forward to using, and growing, that experience at Deloitte.”

Steve Williams, senior partner for Scotland and Northern Ireland, added: “David represents a significant hire for us as we continue to enhance and grow our Private Markets practice. He has a strong track record of working with entrepreneurs at various stages of their lifecycle, offering advice that makes a real difference.

“Entrepreneurial businesses are the lifeblood of the Scottish economy. As they increasingly look to the international stage for opportunities, we’re well-positioned to help them realise that ambition, with a global network of advisers and the knowledge required to help them at all stages of their growth.”