Deloitte targets 20% growth in Aberdeen

DELOITTE, the Big Four accountant, plans to grow its business in Aberdeen by 20 per cent over two years as it seeks to take advantage of a renewed appetite for takeovers and overseas expansion in the oil and gas sector.

First minister Alex Salmond and Deloitte's UK senior partner, John Connelly, were in the city last night for the opening of its new premises at Union Plaza.

The firm employs 95 in Aberdeen and has doubled the number of partners from two to four over the past two years.

Derek Henderson, senior partner in the Aberdeen office, said Scottish oil and gas companies are making a major play for foreign markets - in particular Brazil.

"A good number of these businesses are well capitalised and financially strong and are in a position now to take some further steps.

"They are interested in M&A activity and internationalising their businesses further," he said.