Sturzaker in abrupt exit from Big

NICKI Sturzaker has abruptly left her £70,000-a-year post as head of the Edinburgh office of public relations outfit The Big Partnership “by mutual agreement”.

Sturzaker, 38, joined the business three years ago after working in a number of jobs in London. She confirmed that she does not have another position lined up.

Sturzaker, a single parent, whose clients included Adam Smith College, the Institute of Directors and Linc Scotland, issued a statement saying that since returning from London she had experienced a “welcome re-introduction to the Scottish market”.

She added: “I am now ready for a new chapter and want to take my career in a different strategic direction. In order to do this properly, I have decided to take some time out to carefully plan my next move.”

Big issued a similarly-worded statement, saying: “Nicki has worked hard in developing Big’s Edinburgh presence over the past three years. She has now decided to pursue a different strategic direction in her career and leaves with our best wishes.”

Sturzaker stood down earlier this year from the committee of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Scotland.

Blaikie’s plans for Mercat

GRAHAM Blaikie, who has bought and converted the Dolphin Inn, Whitecraig into the Mercat Grill, has big plans to rejuvenate the East Lothian pub. He aims to invest a six-figure sum from private investors.

He says the Mercat will be completely transformed over the next three years and the first phase of the refurbishment is due for completion by next month. Further down the line he wants to create a roof-top terrace bar – no doubt he will be hoping for more summers like this one.

Hunter aids Optical rescue

SIR Tom Hunter has emerged as a backer of David Moulsdale’s rescue of Optical Express.

The Ayrshire entrepreneur provided some of the finance that was required to buy out the Cumbernauld-based group’s £30 million of debt from Royal Bank of Scotland.

New shoes fit for a model

THE Royal & Ancient may not be accepting women members but another St Andrews institution is quite happy to support female golfers. The Old Course pro shop is preparing to stock a range of ladies’ shoes made by Royal Albartross, as modelled by Jodie Kidd.

Described as being “elegant both on the links and on the patio for cocktails”, the Kitty Driver range comes with no shortage of fashionable compliments, including the description of one pair as “a lavish creation of startling fuchsia pink faux lizard”. Whatever that means.

Chips with everything

WOLFSON Microelectronics boss Mike Hickey is used to his chips turning up in Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones and tablets, as well as high-end hi-fi equipment. But the list of gadgets in which the Edinburgh-based firm’s components appear is growing longer by the day.

As well as its chips being included in Blu-Ray players, digital cameras and global positioning systems, last week’s half-year results revealed some interesting new appliances using the firm’s technology.

South Korean electronics giant LG has adopted Wolfson’s audio hub chips for its latest voice-activated range of “Roboking” vacuum cleaners and voice-controlled refrigerators.