ICAS’s top Scottish accountants under 35 in profile – Graeme Gibson of Edinburgh Airport

Thirteen Scottish-based accountants have been named among ICAS’s 35 Chartered Accountants (CAs) under 35 for 2017.

For the next 13 days Scottish Financial News will be profiling each of the Scottish representatives.

Today we profile: Graeme Gibson CA, 34, head of finance projects, Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh, who is nominated in the Entrepreneurship category.

Graeme graduated from the University of Oxford in 2003 with a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics. In 2005 he started his training with Deloitte while working in in audit, and qualified in 2009. He is now the Head of Finance Projects at Edinburgh Airport and has made a significant impact on the business in the two years he’s been in the role.

“I am currently Head of Finance Projects at Edinburgh Airport where my team’s remit includes strategic and long-term financial planning, debt financing, private equity shareholder management, capital planning and appraisal, treasury & financial risk management, property development, insurance, risk, and pensions.

While Edinburgh Airport is fast growing and entrepreneurial and with sophisticated and disciplined private equity investors, the finance team is relatively modest. As a result, I have a broad-ranging role and significant exposure to our shareholders, advisors, banks and long-term institutional investors. The role requires agility, competence and confidence.

Prior to joining Edinburgh Airport I was the Group Treasurer at Manchester Airports Group where I managed the treasury function across a portfolio of four international airports. The highlight of this role was leading the process to establish MAG in the listed debt capital markets, obtain investment grade credit ratings and develop new relationships with a number of long-term bond investors.

I started my career with Deloitte in Edinburgh in 2005. I initially trained as an auditor in financial services while studying for my CA qualification before moving into Treasury Consulting to build the advisory business in Scotland.

My career path has evolved rather than been subject to any design. I’ve always looked for opportunities where I will be challenged - whether that be via issues, environments or people.

I enjoy working in fast moving businesses and with people who are capable and driven. It is this appetite and enthusiasm that led me to a traineeship with a ‘Big 4’ advisory firm and then onto ambitious infrastructure businesses working hard to commercialise their activities and maximise shareholder value.

Longer-term my aspiration is to be a Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director in Scotland. I am conscious there is much I need to learn but my broad experiences - across corporate finance, treasury, financial planning & analysis, financial control and process / internal control - put me on the right track.”