Accountancy giant Deloitte is to invest £25 million to help its employees create and run their own stand-alone, start-up businesses.

Employees will be given funding and allowed to work full-time on developing their business idea, whilst drawing on legal, risk, technology, brand, marketing and other support from within the firm.

Deloitte will hold the companies in an "Innovation Investments" vehicle and share rewards. The firm says the initiative recognises the demands of a new generation of young professionals who aspire to a diverse and agile career.

Ross Millar, financial services partner and innovation lead in Scotland at Deloitte, said: "This is a really exciting opportunity. Innovation Investments gives every Deloitte employee the chance to become CEO of their own company."