People: Fiona brings eastern promise back home

Fiona Elliot returns to her home city after a spell in Hong Kong, where she worked as a business analyst at Deutsche Bank.

After studying at St George's School, Edinburgh, and Newcastle University, Elliot qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in London, before joining Deutsche Bank in 2007.

Elliot says she had "a few offers on the table" from other investment managers in Edinburgh before taking the job at Williams de Broe.

Also on the move in Edinburgh are Derek Smith and Euan Tait, who have joined Clydesdale Bank's financial solutions centre (FSC).

Both are moving to Clydesdale from Barclays Commercial Bank, where Smith was director of commercial development for medium business and Tait was director of business development.

In their new roles at Clydesdale – Smith as business development partner and Tait as corporate development partner – the pair are charged with growing the bank's presence in the mid-sized and corporate markets.

Robert Gibson, managing partner for Clydesdale Bank's Edinburgh FSC, said: "Derek and Euan have excellent track records in business development, and I'm looking forward to working alongside them as the FSC looks to maintain the momentum it has built up in the past years."

HSBC has also strengthened its Edinburgh commercial team with Donald Rankine joining as a senior commercial manager.

Rankine has spent the past two years in HSBC's corporate division, which deals with customers with a turnover in excess of 25 million.

Before joining HSBC, Rankine – who has 35 years' experience in banking – was director of business and corporate banking with Bank of Ireland.

John Rendall, HSBC's chief executive for Scotland, said: "We're delighted to have someone with Donald's breadth of experience joining to strengthen our commercial offering."

Bannatyne aims to clean up with new franchise network

FRANCHISEES might be tempted to enter the Dragons' Den after an industrial cleaning company backed by Scottish entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne unveiled plans to expand its network around the UK.

UK Commercial Cleaning Services – which already counts Bannatyne's Health Clubs among its clients, along with Four Seasons Healthcare, Marriott Hotels and Ladbrokes – will next month launch a franchise scheme.

Bannatyne, who has pumped 100,000 into the company, said: "Franchising is an excellent option for anyone looking to expand their business, and UKCC has a sound business and profit model, which gives people the opportunity to invest in a solid franchise option."

Tony Earnshaw, director of the cleaning business, says he will supply his franchisees with shares of his national contracts.

BAD DAY

Martin Winterkorn

PORSCHE'S first-half revenue will decline faster than vehicle sales, after deliveries of its new Panamera grand tourer failed to offset slumping demand for the Cayenne and 911 models, according to chief executive Martin Winterkorn. Sales of the high-margin 911 sports car tumbled 45 per cent to 7,400 units, pressuring the brand's revenue.

GOOD DAY

Peter Bamford

VODAFONE board member Peter Bamford has become chairman of SuperGroup, owner of the fast-growing Superdry and Cult clothing retailers. Bamford, who has held senior positions with Tesco, WH Smith and Kingfisher, will help to grow the company, which has opened 17 shops in the UK and Ireland in the past 12 months to take its total to 39.