The newest members to be inducted into The Merchant Company of Edinburgh have once again underlined the diversity of professional experience that the Company harnesses in support of its work to fund educational and charitable projects in the Capital.
Six prominent Edinburgh business leaders from very different backgrounds, Graham Acheson, Jason Hemmings, Alan Johnston, Joshua Miller, Gregor Murray and Michael Timmins, have been invited to become the newest members of the Company.
The six were inducted at a ceremony at The Merchants’ Hall where they added their names and signatures to a historic membership roll which dates back to 1681. The Roll contains information about every member over the centuries, contributing to a valuable source of historical records in the City of Edinburgh.
The Merchant Company has been enriching the life of Scotland’s capital for more than 300 years. Established by Royal Charter in 1681, The Merchant Company’s original purpose was to protect trading rights of merchants in the City of Edinburgh. Today, over 500 businessmen and women from more than 43 professions are Members of The Company and are actively involved at the heart of the city in both educational and charitable works.
The new members are:
Graham Acheson, born in 1980, is one of the youngest members to sign the Roll. He is an Associate Partner with Smith Scott Mullan Architects.
Jason Hemmings, a partner in Cornerstone Asset Management, an independent financial advisory firm.
Alan Johnston, retired Commercial Director of Charles River Laboratories (formerly Inveresk Research) based in Tranent, East Lothian where he worked for thirty years.
Joshua Miller is Joint Managing Director of Charlie Miller Hairdressing Ltd. The company is owned by his family and is recognised as being a major hairdressing brand in the UK with its own hair academy.
Gregor Murray joined the Merchant Company as Secretary and Chamberlain in November 2012.
His background is in finance, having worked for Bank of Scotland and 3i, and he was Chief Executive of a business trust and of the Chamber of Commerce in Midlothian for many years.
Michael Timmins, is a Chartered Accountant and Director of Ernst & Young LLP who is a specialist in corporate finance.
Ian Watson, Master of The Merchant Company, said:
“The Merchant Company, Scotland’s pre-eminent livery company, is heavily involved in both the civic and ceremonial life of Edinburgh. While it is steeped in history and rich in tradition, it has a very relevant and modern role in the business life of Edinburgh. It is a measure of this that I welcome today six new members from such different backgrounds, all of whom have so much to contribute to the Company and the educational and charitable work we carry out in Edinburgh.”
Commenting on his membership, Joshua Miller of Charlie Miller Hairdressing Ltd, said:
“There is significant value in such a wide group of business people, all from our city, coming together for charitable purpose. So it should be of no surprise that The Merchant Company has existed for so long and I am delighted to become a member.”
Photography from:  Colin Hattersley Photography – colinhattersley@btinternet.com – www.colinhattersley.com – 07974 957 388
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
