Celebrity chef Nick Nairn showed off his culinary talents as accountancy giant Johnston Carmichael celebrated expansion at Stirling Agricultural Centre (SAC).
He was there to help Scotland’s largest independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers mark its relocation into bigger premises at the centre.
Aberdeen-based Johnston Carmichael opened its Stirling office in April 2012, with two staff.
The branch is now in Unit 2A, The Paddock, with partner Peter Innes leading a team of eight.
Johnston Carmichael’s Stirling contingent had double cause for celebration as the official opening, featuring cookery demonstrations from Nairn, came during the firm’s 80th year.
Mr Innes, said: “The Stirling Agricultural Centre is an excellent base for our team and our new premises will give us the space we require to grow further.
“The centre and its location is a natural fit for us and our clients, supporting our sector specialisms including food & drink and agriculture.”
SAC – home to livestock auctioneer United Auctions and the Highland Cattle Society – was itself officially opened in July 2009 by then first minister Alex Salmond.
Johnston Carmichael has 10 other offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Elgin, Forfar, Fraserburgh, Glasgow, Huntly, Inverness, Inverurie and Perth.
The firm employs a total of more than 650 staff and partners.
Its Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling operations accounted for nearly one-third of the overall business during the year to May 31, 2015.
These three offices together generated 31% of turnover totalling £39.6million, up from £36.8million the year before.
The company has its roots in Nairn, where it was founded by William Johnston in 1935. John Carmichael joined just a few months after its inception.
