‘Important step’ as ExecSpace recruits director

Execspace, the Edinburgh-based firm that books venues for conferences and business meetings, is expanding into the North of Scotland after ­appointing a director for its Aberdeen operations.

Jess Atkinson joins the company as regional account director from Macdonald Hotels, where she was business development manager at its Aviemore resort. Atkinson was previously a senior account manager based at Moray Firth Radio, one of Bauer Media Group’s stations.

In May, ExecSpace – which lists Aggreko, Cairn Energy and Standard Life among its clients – secured a “substantial six-figure” cash injection from private equity firm Bradenham Partners for its push into Aberdeen, Glasgow and London.

The cash has also given Exec­Space the working capital it needs to expand its hotel accommodation booking service.

Managing director Emma Little, who founded the firm in 2008, said: “This is an important step for us, expanding ExecSpace’s footprint outside of the Central Belt where we began, into the North of Scotland and into Aberdeen, which leads the way in Europe’s energy generation.”

In July, ExecSpace – which turns over about £5 million a year – appointed Natalie ­Maynard as its regional ­account director for the West of ­Scotland.

Bradenham was introduced to the firm by Paul Mason, the founder of corporate finance firm Lomond Advisory and a former financier at Brewin Dolphin, Deutsche Bank and Quayle Munro.