Jamie Smith joins the SBP team following 25 years with RBS, taking on the role of business development manager for the firm’s Aberdeen headquarters.

A specialist in professional services and lending, Mr Smith’s business knowledge will support SBP’s ambitious growth plans as it continues to build its client base across the north-east.

SBP managing partner, John Hannah, said: “There is a massive market for attracting new clients currently as people are becoming more cost conscious and we are an excellent alternative to some of the larger firms. Jamie’s years as a relationship manager with the bank has given him a superb knowledge of business and working with clients to ensure they achieve excellent customer service. He will be focussing on the Aberdeen market which will also help to free up some of my time so I can continue to manage my own clients.”

Mr Smith added: “I thoroughly enjoy client interaction and working with successful businesses and I have known John and SBP for 14 years so I’m looking forward to being part of a business with a huge level of potential. I am fairly well known in the business arena and bring a strong network of contacts. SBP has similar challenges to most accountants but the advisory piece and the entrepreneurial focus of SBP sets them aside from their competitors, so there is a huge swathe of SMEs in the region that could benefit hugely from the team’s expertise.”

The firm, which also has offices in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Banff, currently has 33 employees and five partners.