ACCOUNTANCY firm Johnston Carmichael has unveiled a new tech advisory board.

The firm has assembled a number of senior figures to provide clients with advice on achieving growth in the fast-growing digital sector.

The seven external advisers include Polly Purvis, the former chief executive of technology trade body ScotlandIS. Ms Purvis is now on the boards of Edinburgh Science Festival and Converge Challenge, which works with universities to support spin-outs.

Johnston Carmichael's new tech advisory board includes Giles Hamilton, chief executive of Inverness-based life sciences firm ODx Innovations, and Alasdair Gunn of Framewire, the Scottish advisory practice for tech and digital start-ups. Hazel McIntyre, Grant Smith, Les Gaw and Brendan Waters, who between them bring broad experience in sectors ranging from, data, AI and software security to deal-making and corporate finance in the tech sector, make up the seven.

Shaun Millican, partner and head of technology and life sciences at Johnston Carmichael, said: “We’re extremely proud to introduce our first tech advisory board, whose deep knowledge and experience will significantly enhance our in-house expertise and help growing business access the specialist advice they need.

“From working at home to remote schooling, technology has become a very significant part of all of our lives over the past year and its importance to recovering and growing our economy can’t be over-stated.

"We want to ensure businesses operating in the sector, regardless of their size, have access to the support required to help them grow and contribute to the country’s future success.”

Ms Purvis noted: “Johnston Carmichael’s tech advisory board is a really exciting development for growing businesses in Scotland’s burgeoning technology sector.

“The past year has demonstrated that many of the traditional barriers to international expansion are now greatly reduced, with an increasing range of reliable technology tools enabling long distance business to be conducted remotely, and enabling teams to work effectively from locations around the globe. We look forward to working with companies that have ambitious plans for internationalisation.

"With more and more Scottish firms looking to dip their toes in global waters it’s a really exciting time for the Scottish tech ecosystem.”