NEVIS Capital has recruited an additional investment specialist as the private equity firm founded by the Pirrie brothers looks to complete more deals.

Milngavie-based Nevis has appointed Peter Hamilton to the new position of investment director to help the firm’s four partners develop its portfolio of investments.

One of the partners, Brian Aitken, said: “We are seeing lots of interesting opportunities and think 2016 could be a good year for adding some interesting new businesses to our portfolio. Peter adds capacity to our team which will allow us to focus on closing some new deals this year.”

Aged 42 Mr Hamilton will bring experience of work in industries such as chemical distribution, business process outsourcing and engineering to Nevis. He served most recently as Scottish regional director for the Tyco fire and security systems business.

Mr Aitken said he believed the new recruit’s operational and strategic expertise will come in useful as Nevis looks to find more firms to invest in.

Nevis has focused on the industrial services sector. It was launched by John and James Pirrie after they sold the LCH Generators business they developed to Speedy Hire for £62m in 2006.

Nevis has four firms in its portfolio including the Clyde Space satellite technology business and Dieselec Thistle Generators.

It has completed 14 deals including the profitable sale of the Apex Generators business to HSS Hire in 2014.

Mr Hamilton said he was delighted to be joining Nevis, which he described as a successful niche investment business.

In January Mr Aitken said Nevis had a good pipeline of deals under discussion amid signs of an increased willingness on the part of business owners to sell.

He noted then that banks were increasingly willing to lend as they put the legacy of the 2008 financial crisis behind them.