Business people on the move

Magnus Mackay

He will specialise in private client work including wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, trusts and powers of attorney after joining from Stronach’s, where he has been since 2008. A full STEP member, Magnus’ appointment will make WJM the only law firm in the Highlands to boast two solicitors with this qualification, regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for handling trusts and estates.

Magnus said: “I’m thoroughly looking forward to this new role. WJM has a fantastic reputation in the Highlands, and this is a great opportunity to expand the Inverness office’s private client team, which is very highly regarded.

“I grew up on the Black Isle and studied at the University of Aberdeen, so I’ve always been interested in firms with bases in the North of Scotland. ”

Lauren Appleyard

Scottish Distillery 1881 has appointed a new trainee distiller Lauren Apple-yard, based at Peebles Hydro Hotel.

Lauren has a background in hospitality having previously held roles as manager of bars and restaurants. She is about to embark on a distilling qualification and has already been working closely on the distillery’s new limited edition.

Lauren, who graduated from university with a science-based degree, said: “It’s great watching the botanicals go from part of our environment to the heart of our gins. Finding out how they react with each other and produce such depth of flavour is fascinating and the creative process behind each gin is quite intricate.

“The biggest challenge for me so far has been learning how to operate Felicity. She’s a fantastic still, so I want to do everything right, and make sure she’s looked after.”

Alison-McLaughlin

She joins head distiller Dean McDonald who is instrumental in creating the four gin varieties and limited edition releases.

Alison McLaughlin has been appointed Chair of ScotlandIS, the membership and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s digital technologies industry.

McLaughlin has a career steeped in Scotland’s tech sector. A graduate from the University of Glasgow, she worked for many years in Sopra Steria and has recently joined the Scottish tech company Exception as their new sales director.